Afternoon hosts on local sports talk radio shows agreed that if the Lions don’t win the Super Bowl, the season will be a failure.
Wouldn’t it be enough to participate in America’s biggest sporting event for the first time in 58 years?
Then, I received a call from a fan. “I admit it, I’d be devastated if they didn’t win,” the caller said.
Welcome to Detroit, Winter 2025. It’s where the city’s long-oppressed obsession with its NFL franchise reaches its peak.
As the team began its playoff run, fans’ expectations turned to Ford Field. Local news stations are encouraged to rename themselves “Lions News and Entertainment Network.” Jared Goff chants are as widespread as a blizzard.
Even though GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell have built a roster and culture that will last for multiple seasons, there is an “all or nothing” feeling this postseason. After the Lions came so close to the Super Bowl last season, blowing a 17-point halftime lead to San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game, there was a belief throughout the organization and the country that this was their year.
Holmes set the bar even before the season began when asked about his expectations.
“What about this season?” he said “Win the Super Bowl.”
So can the Lions actually pull off this feat? entirely. They were the class of the NFC riding an offense that produced an NFL-high 33.2 points per game.
Heading into Saturday night’s divisional matchup with Washington, the top-seeded Lions have two major concerns: injuries and pressure.
Their attacks resulted in relatively serious casualties, but their defenses were weak. The Lions had 13 defensive players on injured reserve earlier this month.
The biggest loss was superstar pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who suffered a broken leg in a “friendly shooting” in the fifth game of the season. If the Lions get to New Orleans, Hutchinson will likely return.
Defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who collided with Hutchinson, is out for the season due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Defensive end Marcus Davenport, linebackers Derrick Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez, and cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Khalil Dorsey are some of the other significant players on injured reserve.
Injuries hit them in mid-December as Buffalo had 559 yards and 48 scores in the Lions’ second loss.
Detroit gets back key player linebacker Alex Anzalone, who suffered a broken arm in the regular season finale. That and a great game plan from defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn allowed the Lions to spread Minnesota’s offense and clinch the NFC North title and the top seed.
A much-needed bye week allowed some of the Lions’ walk-on injuries to return for the playoffs, most notably running back David Montgomery. He injured his knee during the loss to the Bills.
Not that the Lions offense has struggled much without him. Aside from a bizarre five interceptions in Houston, Goff regularly picked off the defense behind the league’s best offensive line. Montgomery’s running back partner, Jahmyr Gibbs, leads the NFL in touchdowns.
The wide receiver group features All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Louis; Led by Brown and deep threat Jameson Williams. The defense also has to consider the seemingly endless supply of trick plays from Sam LaPorta and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
The Commanders don’t seem ready to slow down the Detroit juggernaut, despite super-talented rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. A potential NFC Championship matchup with either Philadelphia or the Los Angeles Rams would present a much bigger challenge on paper.
The Eagles have a powerful offense behind 2,000-yard rusher Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Rams, led by longtime Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, nearly eliminated the Lions from the playoffs last season. They will have experience dealing with a rowdy Ford Field crowd.
This is where the pressure part comes in. The Lions showed resilience and strength throughout the regular season. When faced with life-or-death adversity, can they handle the weight of overwhelming expectations?
One thing is certain. Otherwise, you will end up with huge disappointment and huge fans.
