The Lions enter 2025 with a slew of road games against powerhouse teams. Which is the most likely to end in a victory for Detroit?
The Detroit Lions enter 2025 staring down an absolute gauntlet of a schedule. They play in what is expected to once again be one of the league’s strongest divisions, as well as facing several of the league’s most notorious powerhouses on the road.
Of course, we can’t really ever refer to Detroit as underdogs. It’s hard to underestimate a team that was the one seed in the 2024 playoffs and inches away from the Super Bowl in 2023. However, the Lions’ 2025 schedule is a tough one, especially on the road, and the Lions have their fair share of unfavorable matchups.
Question of the day: Which upset are the Lions most likely to pull off in 2025?
First, let’s take a look at the toughest matchups. There are five games that really stand out to me on the schedule. All are road games against teams that made the playoffs in 2024:
- Week 1 @ Packers
- Week 3 @ Ravens
- Week 6 @ Chiefs
- Week 10 @ Commanders
- Week 11 @ Eagles
As far as winnable games, weeks one and ten really stand out to me here. In Week 1, the Lions may have to work out some kinks under new offensive and defensive coordinators. However, they have the upside of playing in Lambeau in what will presumably be very nice weather and against a Packers team that doesn’t really intimidate me any more than they did in 2024. It’s still going to be a tough game, but the only true edge for the Packers, in my eyes, is homefield advantage.
In Week 10, the Lions travel to Washington D.C. to play the Commanders in a game most will have circled in bright red on their calendars. The Lions were painfully upset by Washington in the Divisional Round of the playoffs last season. It’s hard for me to imagine players and coaches have forgotten that feeling. My expectation is that they will have their eyes fixed on revenge.
Weeks three, six, and eleven are each tough in their own respect. Each of the Ravens, Chiefs, and Eagles feel like more of contenders than the Packers and Commanders do, especially considering the last two played one another in Super Bowl 59. Add to it the fact that all three are on the road, and not a single one will be an easy win. Kansas City and Philadelphia are two of the most hostile road environments in the NFL. Out of the three, I could see any of those games going the Lions’ way, but don’t really expect them to win more than one or two.
My answer: Ultimately, it’s the Commanders game that feels most likely to be a win for Detroit. The Packers may be an easier opponent in my eyes, but the feeling of the playoff loss has got to sting still, and I fully expect Detroit to come out swinging.
Which upset do you think the Lions are most likely to pull off in 2025? Vote below and let us know your thoughts.