NFL Deals a Brutal Blow to Lions Ahead of 2025 Season
As the NFL offseason rolls on, the Detroit Lions are already laying the groundwork for a strong run in the upcoming 2025 campaign. While September might seem far off, preparations are well underway, especially now that the draft has wrapped and roster spots are being hotly contested.
However, beyond building a competitive team, another major factor looms large: the strength of their upcoming schedule. And unfortunately for Detroit, it looks like the path ahead won’t be an easy one.
Lions Face a Formidable 2025 Schedule
NFL analyst Warren Sharp, known for his deep-dive statistical work at Sharp Football Analysis, recently released his findings on the projected difficulty of each team’s 2025 slate. Using win totals set by oddsmakers in Las Vegas, Sharp calculated which teams have the steepest climbs based on expected performance.
In a twist of irony, the San Francisco 49ers — who eliminated Detroit in the 2023 postseason — are projected to have the most manageable schedule. They’re followed closely by the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints.
But the Lions? They’re looking at one of the league’s harshest roads. Only the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns are expected to have tougher schedules, placing Detroit in the third slot for most difficult matchups.
Sharp explains that these projections aren’t arbitrary — they reflect offseason changes, injury status, and coaching shifts. These win totals are designed to represent how sportsbooks believe teams will perform this year, based on all available data.
He also notes a trend: historically, teams with favorable schedules tend to post winning records and reach the playoffs. On the flip side, those with grueling schedules often struggle to keep pace.
In fact, during the 2024 season, just two of the ten teams with the roughest projected schedules ended up in the postseason — the Lions and the Rams. Conversely, seven of the ten teams expected to have easier schedules not only won more games but six made the playoffs.
Previewing Detroit’s 2025 Competition
Looking at who Detroit will face, it’s no surprise their schedule ranks near the top in difficulty. The Lions will square off against division champions from the AFC West (Kansas City), NFC South (Tampa Bay), and NFC West (Los Angeles Rams).
Their home turf matchups include visits from Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, Dallas, the Giants, Browns, Steelers, and Buccaneers. On the road, they’ll take on the Bears, Packers, and Vikings again, in addition to Washington, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Baltimore, the Chiefs, and the Rams.
Despite the uphill battle, the Lions have shown they don’t shy away from high-stakes competition. If history is any guide, this team may once again defy the odds
