Scouting Sundays #5: The Detroit Lions š¦
The Lions roared to a 15ā2 record last year (their best ever!), dominating the NFC North and looking like Super Bowl favorites.
But their playoff run ended early with a tough loss to Washington in the Divisional Round. (We told you Jayden Daniels had an epic rookie season!)
Now, Detroit is back. And they believe this is their year.
Last year: 15ā2
Lost to the Commanders in Round 2
Division: NFC North
š Missed the kickoff? Weāre counting down the top 10 NFL and college football teams of 2025. If youāre just jumping in, you can catch the full plan (and every team so far) by clicking here. š
ā Stars to Know
The Lions have players who are ready to make noise. Some are breakout stars. Others are making big comebacks.
Jared Goff ā Quarterback
Goff has been steady, sharp, and seriously underrated. He came to Detroit in a trade with the Rams back in 2021ā¦ the same deal that sent Matthew Stafford to Los Angeles.
Since then, Goff has helped turn the Lions from a struggling team into a Super Bowl contender.
But a few years ago? Stafford actually won a Super Bowl in LA.
Goffās decision-making and accuracy are a huge reason Detroit has become a great team, but can he take them all the way?
Sam LaPorta ā Tight End
LaPorta isnāt just one of the best young tight ends in the league. Heās already one of the best, period.
Reminder: āTight endā is the position that catches passes like a wide receiverā¦ but also blocks like a lineman!
As a rookie in 2023, he caught 86 passes (the most ever by a rookie TE!) and scored 10 touchdowns. Last year, he added another 7 touchdowns.
Heās strong, smart, and slippery after the catch. If Goff needs a big play, LaPortaās usually the first place he looks.
Aidan Hutchinson ā Defensive End
Hutchinson is the face of the Lionsā defenseā¦ and maybe the future face of the entire franchise.
Last year, he came out on fire, leading the NFL with 7.5 sacks in just five games. But then? He suffered a season-ending leg injury.
Now fully recovered, Hutchinson is back. Heās ready to remind the league how great he is. If he stays healthy, offenses wonāt be able to ignore him.
š Stories to Watch
But talent alone doesnāt win titles. Hereās what could push Detroit over the topā¦ or hold them back.
So Many Skill Players
The Lions have one of the most exciting groups of skill players in the NFL.
š Who are the skill players?
Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. These players use speed, hands, footwork, and quick thinking to make plays happen.
Thatās why theyāre called āskill players.ā They use a lot of athletic skill on every play!
For the Lions, at running back itās Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Gibbs is lightning-fast. Montgomery is a bulldozer near the goal line.
At receiver? Amon-Ra St. Brown makes big plays look routine. Jameson Williams is becoming a true deep threat for defenses.
With this much speed, strength, and swagger, defenses will have a tough time covering everyone.
New Coaches Calling the Plays
Two key coaches left the Lions this offseason. Ben Johnson called the plays on offense, but now heās the head coach of the Bears. Aaron Glenn led the defense, and now he leads the Jets.
They helped build Detroit into one of the best teams in football.
Now itās up to head coach Dan Campbell and a pair of new play-callers to keep that momentum rolling.
Same culture. Same talent. But with different voices guiding the way.
Detroitās Fans Deserve This
It wasnāt that long ago (2008, to be exact) when the Lions became the first NFL team to ever go 0ā16. Back then, Ford Field was quiet. Empty seats. Frustrated fans.
Now? Itās one of the loudest stadiums in the league. When the Lions are rolling, it feels like Detroit is shaking.
Home-field advantage is real. And if the Lions earn playoff games at home again this year, opposing teams better bring earplugs.
š Did You Know?
The Detroit Lions play every year on Thanksgiving Day. And theyāve been doing it for over 90 years.
(Itās a tradition thatās older than your grandparents! Sorry, yāall.)
It all started way back in 1934, when the teamās owner came up with the idea to play on Thanksgiving to help sell more tickets.
It worked. The stadium filled up, the game was broadcast on the radio, and a tradition was born.
Now itās one of the most famous parts of the holiday. Before the turkey gets carved or the mashed potatoes hit the plate, millions of football fans around the world watch the Lions play.
Their Thanksgiving opponent this year? The Packers, in an NFC North showdown. Itās one of three NFL games on Thanksgiving this year.
š Football Is Back!
Hold on. Did we make it all this way without any video?
Thatās definitely not Smallball style.
But thereās a good reasonā¦ because last night, football finally came back. š
The very first NFL preseason game of the year kicked off yesterday, and it featuredā¦ yep, you guessed it: the Detroit Lions. They were taking on the Los Angeles Chargers, who we covered earlier as the #9 team.
Now, it wasnāt a playoff rematch or a battle between MVPs. In fact, most of the big-name players didnāt suit up at all.
š” Whatās preseason all about?
Think of it like the NFLās version of NBA Summer League. The games are real, but the focus is on young players, backups, and rookies trying to earn a spot on the team.
Itās a time for practice, development, and second chances. The starters donāt play much, because the coaches want to keep them healthy for the real season.
But stillā¦ itās football.
š„ And last night? It looked like this:
Final score? Chargers 34, Lions 7.
Detroit fumbled the opening kickoff, threw three interceptions, and never really had a chance.
No Goff, no Gibbs, no St. Brown. But after five months without football, weāll take it.
Footballās back. The Lions didnāt look great. But heyā¦ better to save the wins for when it counts!
And weāve got more teams to go. See you tomorrow, Smallballers!
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