Detroit Lions 2024-25 NFL Season Recap

Detroit Lions 2024-25 NFL Season Recap

Though I’m a die-hard Chicago Bears fan, watching the Detroit Lions go down in flames in the Division Round was a tough watch. Not only because I laid the points and also hit the over of Detroit’s team total on the NFL odds, which came up two points short, but because the team was so likeable. Amidst the best campaign in franchise history that saw it earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the very first time, the city of Detroit had huge expectations entering the team’s fourth playoff game under Dan Campbell’s watch. Unfortunately, it ended up running into a buzz saw that came in the form of a Washington Commanders outfit that wasn’t the least bit intimidated by the Ford Field crowd—even with a rookie quarterback leading them into battle. Though the Jared Goff-led offense outgained the Commies 521-481 and 7.7 to 6.6 yards per play, a whopping five turnovers proved to be the final nails in the team’s coffin allowing Washington to cruise to the 45-31 outright win and cover in a game that felt like the margin of victory was much higher than the final 14 point spread. Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown still went on to do their respective things, but in the end, it wasn’t nearly enough to overcome the self-inflicted damage.

Much like most of the NFC teams that punched bids into the playoffs, the Lions treated NFL crypto bettors very kind. Up until failing to win let alone cover against the Commies, Detroit had gone a moneymaking 12-5 against the spread (ATS) in their 17 played regular season games; 15 of which were won. The output moved the team to 46-22 ATS under Dan Campbell’s watch! On top of that, the team proved to be another solid over bet for total bettors with it paying out at a 9-7-1 clip. That makes the team 20-13-1 to the over in the last two seasons! Much of that had to do with the offense, but the other side of the ball lost a number of playmakers throughout the year. The biggest casualty proved to be Aidan Hutchinson, but a laundry list of wounded saw the defense take a major turn for the worst the back half of the NFL betting season. Try as they did to rectify the matter in the offseason, the pass defense continued to be a glaring weakness with it serving up 244 yards per game (No. 30) and nearly 7.0 yards per pass attempt (No. 25). The issue was highly noticeable in the division round after Jayden Daniels torched the unit for 299 yards and 2:0 TD/INT ratio averaging just short of 10.0 yards per pass.

Though Goff, Gibbs, St. Brown, David Montgomery, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams will all be back donning “Honolulu Blues” next season, along with a bulk of the offensive line, Ben Johnson will no longer be calling the shots for the offense after taking the head coaching job in Chicago days after the team saw its campaign unceremoniously come to an end. Aaron Glenn also isn’t expected to be the defensive coordinator with it expected that he will be called upon for his first head coaching gig. With that, the coaching staff will get a huge makeover next season, but you have to imagine people within the organization had already been getting groomed to step up and take over larger responsibilities. With the offense locked and loaded, I can’t help but think help will be brought in on the defensive side of the ball so as to prepare the team should the injury bug decide to take a bite out of integral pieces to the puzzle next season. With Detroit’s pass rush going the way of the dinosaur once Hutchinson went down, it would hardly be a shock to see someone get brought in that has an appetite for getting after opposing quarterbacks.

Detroit Lions Divisional Round Recap

The Detroit Lions’ record-setting season ended in disappointment with a 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round which saw them grossly fail to cover the closing 8-point NFL spread. Despite entering as the top seed for the first time in franchise history with a 15-3 record, Detroit’s five turnovers proved costly. Jared Goff struggled with three interceptions and a lost fumble, finishing 23 of 40 for 313 yards and one touchdown. Jahmyr Gibbs was a bright spot, rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while Amon-Ra St. Brown hauled in eight receptions for 137 yards. However, Detroit’s defense, which had been solid all season, faltered by allowing a season-high 45 points. The Lions conceded a historic 28-14 second quarter, giving Washington a 31-21 halftime lead they would never relinquish. Detroit opened the second half with promise, forcing a punt and scoring on an 11-play, 76-yard drive capped by Gibbs’ second touchdown to close within 31-28. However, a crucial penalty for too many men on the field extended a Washington drive that led to another score, restoring a 10-point deficit. Goff’s early turnovers, including an interception returned 40 yards by Quan Martin, along with Mike Sainristil’s two picks, undercut Detroit’s chances of advancing. Coach Dan Campbell lamented missed opportunities, as the Lions’ historic season fell short of Super Bowl aspirations.

2024 Detroit Lions Schedule, Results & Record

Founded in 1932, the Detroit Lions have a long history, though much of it is marked by struggles. Once a powerhouse in the NFL, the Lions won three NFL championships from 1952 to 1957. Sadly for Detroit, their last title in 1957 is only a distant memory for their older fans, as the team has never appeared in a Super Bowl since its inception in 1966.

While championships have been scarce, the Lions have had many memorable star players over the years. Bobby Layne was the quarterback during their 1950s glory days. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Lions fielded competitive teams, including the 1970 playoff squad. These teams featured notable stars such as cornerback Lem Barney, defensive tackle Alex Karras, cornerback Dick LeBeau, linebacker Joe Schmidt, center Ed Flanigan, kicker Errol Mann, and tight end Charlie Sanders.

During this era, the Lions were so popular that they were featured in the major motion picture "Paper Lion," starring Alan Alda, based on a writer's experience trying out for the team and chronicling his training camp journey in a book. In later years, the Lions boasted two of the most electrifying running backs in NFL history: Billy Sims and Barry Sanders, who thrilled fans and gamblers alike with their dynamic performances.

In 1991, the Lions came closest to a Super Bowl appearance, making it to the NFC Championship game before being eliminated by the eventual champion Washington Redskins. Wayne Fontes coached that Lions team and led them to the playoffs four times between 1991 and 1995. Since 2000, the Lions have made the NFL playoffs only four times, but the most recent appearance in 2023 looks to be one of many more with Dan Campbell navigating a ship that’s stocked with some of the league’s most talented and impactful players.

Detroit Lions Past Seasons (2000)

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