Detroit Lions Week 13: What Went Wrong?

Coming into the 2025 season, the Detroit Lions expected to contend for a Super Bowl, but after a week 13 loss to the Green Bay Packers (31-24), they are hoping to make the playoffs. Early in the season, the media chastised anyone who expressed concerns about the team's problems, particularly its struggles in the trenches. The offensive and defensive lines have not produced enough to win football games. The Lions did manage to cross the 100-yard mark in rushing yards, but they didn't allow much time for Jared Goff to throw the ball. The Lions recorded zero sacks in this game.

"Jared Goff 2022" by All-Pro Reels is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

But issues like personal and scheme are quick fixes, likely to come in the offseason. The bigger problem is the underlying philosophy of "A win is a win." Every week, the Lions have said they will "clean it up." At this point, it feels that this "clean up" is more like sweeping it under the rug.

Detroit Lions Week 13: Offense

The offense had a middle-of-the-road performance, with 352 total yards. All but one of the Lions wins, however, have come in games where they've produced more than that. They broke a pattern; they rushed for over 100 yards (119) and lost. Jameson Williams' career day is a small bright spot in an otherwise difficult day. He had seven receptions and 144 yards. He did, however, have some costly drops. They do have the excuse of missing Sam LaPorta and losing Amon-Ra St. Brown early, but contenders don't use adversity as an excuse; they overcome it. It's easy to say and difficult to do. Then again, so is winning a Super Bowl.

The Lions aren't the worst team in the league by any stretch of the imagination, but the offensive line issues aren't going away. And unfortunately, help is not on the way. After exulting over Frank Ragnow's return from retirement, the team received the unfortunate news that a hamstring injury would prevent it. The young linemen may be ready to compete at a high level someday, but it hasn't come yet. Between injuries, inexperience, and play calling, the Lions offensive line has been a low point this season. Goff is a solid quarterback, but he is not among those who can overcome deficiencies in any aspect of the game. He needs everything set up for him so that he can succeed at a high level.

Detroit Lions Week 13: Defense

The Lions defense had its second-worst showing of the season (New York Giants). Suddenly, the defense has gone from a strength to a weakness. This change could be coincidental, or it could be a result of being placed in bad positions. Regardless, it all starts with the lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Aidan Hutchinson does a lot for the Lions, but if they want to make the playoffs (of course, they do), he'll need to do even more. The lack of other pass rushers is not Kelvin Sheppard's fault. With how much attention opposing teams give to Hutchinson, other edge rushers should be making more plays, but they aren't.

The Lions should have pursued a better option than Marcus Davenport. They didn't need to add Trey Hendrickson, but they needed to make a more significant improvement. There is a large gulf between Hendrickson and Davenport, and many players fall in between. Injuries have once again plagued the Lions. Again, excuses exist as a reason for failure.

Detroit Lions Week 13 Verdict

It's not good. This team is no longer in the tier one of NFL franchises. They are in the middle. After winning two playoff games in 2023 and going 15-2 in 2024, the goal for 2025 was not anywhere near 7-5 and possibly missing the playoffs. The goal remains winning a Super Bowl, but with the issues in the trenches and the injuries piling up, this season could be over.

The Lions have the Cowboys, Rams, Steelers, Vikings, and Bears remaining on their schedule. Barring a collapse from Chicago and Green Bay, the division is likely out of reach. However, a Wild Card remains a possibility. The Lions will most likely need to win out. The remaining schedule, as you can see, features no slouches. The Vikings are the only team under .500, and they already beat the Lions at home (meaning this one is on the road). Three of the last five are on the road against four playoff hopefuls.

The Lions have their work cut out for them. They'll need to "clean it up" to do anything meaningful this season. This team's window isn't closing, but the window to do anything this season nearly has.

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