Notes: Lions named division champ most vulnerable to lose title in 2025

Can the Lions pull a three-peat and hold onto their division title?

The competition for NFC North champions may be heating up for the Detroit Lions as their rivals attempt to get their ducks in a row.

Despite winning back-to-back titles, losing back-to-back playoff games has many wondering if the Lions’ time in the spotlight as monsters on the gridiron has fizzled out, including NFL.com’s Judy Battista.

The columnist recently named the Lions as the reigning division champ most vulnerable to losing their grip on the title this season. First and foremost, she points out, the NFC North came down to the final game of the regular season.

“There’s no reason to think the division, which just sent three teams to the playoffs, won’t be as ferocious in 2025, particularly with the anticipated improvement of the Bears, who are coming off a last-place finish,” she writes.

Anticipated improvement spearheaded by none other than former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, if you need reminding. You’ve also got the Vikings beefing up their interior offensive line and the Packers giving quarterback Jordan Love a first-round pick to throw to: Texas Longhorns wide receiver Matthew Golden.

“All of that makes for a whole lot of competition for the Lions, who are still flush with talent, but must adjust to two new coordinators after Johnson and Aaron Glenn got head-coaching jobs,” she explains. “Even if that process turns out to be seamless, it’s easy to envision the division again coming down to the final week.”

And onto the rest of your notes.

• Some of my favorite recent Lions-related social media posts.

• CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan picked a top game for every week of the regular season, which included a whopping five Lions matchups.

• The Michigan Panthers clinched a spot in the UFL Conference Championships over the weekend. Let’s goooooooo!

• “The Lions have eight road games against teams that finished above .500 last season, which is the most in NFL history.” CBS Sports’ John Breech offers one good thing and one bad thing each team will face this upcoming season.

• Some travel tips over at LionsWire if you’re planning on heading to the Lions’ season opener in Green Bay.