Overview
- The 23-10 defeat in Minneapolis on Dec. 25 dropped Detroit to 8-8 and officially ended its playoff hopes.
- Minnesota forced six takeaways against a Lions offense that had only eight giveaways all season entering the game.
- Detroit’s decline follows a 15-2 No. 1 seed in 2024, with three straight December losses capping a late-season slide.
- Injuries and exits up front — including Frank Ragnow’s retirement, Taylor Decker’s absence, and a hobbled Penei Sewell — left Detroit using multiple replacement centers and struggling to run or protect Jared Goff.
- Dan Campbell told players to “be locked in” for the finale in Chicago, while he and GM Brad Holmes said they will evaluate changes, with some outlets noting firing them now is considered unlikely and analysts urging an offensive-line rebuild.