The Lions have a gauntlet schedule in 2025. Will they take their eye off the ball against weaker teams?
The Detroit Lions enter 2025 with an absolute gauntlet of a schedule. They return to what looks to once again be one of the strongest divisions in the NFL, as well as playing powerhouse teams like the Baltimore Ravens , Kansas City Chiefs , and Philadelphia Eagles . With so many premier opponents, it’s easy to lose sight of the games against weaker teams. Will that come back to bite Detroit?
Question of the day: Which 2025 game are the Lions most likely to get upset in?
There are three matchups that catch my eye. The first two are the games against the Bears. The two teams first meet in Detroit in Week 2. It’ll still be very early, which means Chicago will likely still be figuring things out, but it also means Detroit won’t have much film to study and work with. Of course, the Lions are quite familiar with Ben Johnson’s work, but a new Bears staff means there should be some substantive changes to catch the Lions off guard.
The two teams play again in Week 18 in Chicago. This feels like a trap game, especially if the Lions have their playoff seeding secured. I anticipate the Bears won’t be atrocious under Ben Johnson, so they could have potential playoff implications if year one under the new regime goes right. Add to that the January weather in Chicago, and there’s a good chance the Bears could come into this game with a lot more to play for than the Lions.
The third game that catches my eye is Week 12 against the Giants. While I don’t think New York is going to be much better in 2025 than they were in 2024, the Lions could very easily come into this game distracted. They’ll be coming off games against the Vikings, at the Commanders, and at the Eagles—talk about a brutal stretch. Then, they host the Giants before turning their eyes to the Packers just four days later for Thanksgiving. The combination of the opponents before Week 12 and the quick turnaround after could set up the Lions to get caught off guard. I don’t think this one happens, but New York could make it closer than it should be.
My answer: Ultimately, I think the Week 18 matchup against the Bears is the most likely to be an upset. The Bears will have had a full season to iron out the kinks with a new staff, and they’ll have home-field advantage and possibly more to play for than Detroit. I don’t think the Bears will pull off the Week 2 upset, and Ben Johnson will surely have his sights set on getting a win against his former team in year one.
Which 2025 game do you think the Lions are most likely to get upset in? Vote below and let us know your thoughts.