5 Make-or-Break Games on 2025 Detroit Lions Schedule

Here are five make-or-break games that could determine whether the Lions finish at or near the top of the NFC or back toward the middle of the pack.

5. Bears at Lions (Sept. 14)-

Expect Bears head coach Ben Johnson to throw the kitchen sink at his former team in Week 2 of the Lions' season.

Johnson knows the Lions' defense inside and out and could pull the upset with the right gameplan and a boatload of weapons on offense.

Detroit must bring its A game for this one and the Lions' Ford Field fans will do their best to help them to find it.

4. Lions at Commanders (Nov. 9)-

The Lions will be out for revenge against the team that knocked them out of the 2025 Playoffs in shocking fashion at home.

Detroit can send a message to the rest of the league with a big road win against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. A win would be a huge boost for Detroit's confidence headed toward a potential 2026 playoff run.

3. Lions at Eagles (Nov. 16)-

Media and fans have debated whether the Lions' Super Bowl window has "closed" since their playoff loss to the Commanders.

A strong performance, and potentially a win, against the Eagles would do wonders for Detroit's confidence in pursuit of its first ever Super Bowl title.

2. Lions at Rams (Dec. 14)-

Detroit will get another crack at Matthew Stafford and the Rams toward the end of the season in what could be a playoff preview.

Lions QB Jared Goff and Stafford are forever linked, and another duel between them could provide the challenge Goff needs to prove he's capable of winning it all at the controls of Detroit's offense.

1. Steelers at Lions (Dec. 21)-

Pittsburgh is always well coached under Mike Tomlin and this could be a trap game with the Vikings and Bears scheduled for the final two weeks of the regular season.