Detroit Lions schedule release. 2025 game-by-game predictions, Detroit takes a step back, but not too far

The Detroit Lions' 2025 schedule has been released. We now know who they're playing and when they're playing them. With that in mind, it's time ot make a way too ear;y guessitmate on what the Lions record is going to be. Here are our game-by-game predictions after the release.

Week 1 At Packers

Starting the season off at Lambeau is big because it means they don't have to end the season in the freezing cold at Lambeau. This used to be the big, scary place for Detroit, but they've won there the last three seasons in a row. We think they're going to make that four in a row in 2025. 

Record: 1-0

Week 2 vs Bears

Everyone is going to want to see this game. The first time Ben Johnson has come back to Ford Field since the loss against the Commanders in the Divisional round. There may be some boos happening for sure. The other thing that should happen is the Lions get the win in this one. 

Record: 2-0

Week 3 at Ravens

I would bet my life savings that the Lions have this game circled on their calendar. That 2023 beatdown just can't go unavenged. It's not going to be easy to stop Lamar Jackson, and they probably won't, but the Lions still win this game after a shootout. 

Record: 3-0

Week 4 vs Browns

The Lions didn't get Myles Garrett, but they get to play against him, so there's that. Who is going to be the quarterback for this game? Joe Flacco? Kenny Pickett? Shedeur Sanders? Dillon Gabriel? That question is so big that there's just no way you can pick against Detroit here. 

Record: 4-0

Week 5 at Bengals

This should be a really fun game with all the offensive weapons on the field, but at the end of the day, we have to go with the team that has the better defense, and that's the Lions. 

Record: 5-0

Week 6 at Chiefs

The Lions went into Arrowhead to start the 2023 season and beat the Chiefs, who had just won the Super Bowl the previous February. That's a really hard thing to do more than once, and we've got to go with our gut on this one. The Chiefs beat Detroit at home. I know, it sucks. 

Record: 5-1

Week 7 vs Buccaneers

The Lions just weren't themselves in this game last year. It's like they overthought the approach and wound up paying for it. This time they'll have them in town for Monday night, and this time they'll be themselves.

Record: 6-1

Week 9 vs Vikings

The Lions went undefeated in the NFC North last year, and that was awesome, but man, that's hard to do twice. Even for the really good teams. The Vikings sneak away with a win here. 

Record: 6-2

Week 10 at Commanders

It's time for a revenge game. The Lions lost to the Commanders in the divisional round, missing just about everyone. Now they get to go into their building looking for the get back. They're going to get it too. 

Record: 7-2

Week 11 at Eagles

We talked about it already, back in 2023, the Lions walked into the Super Bowl champs' building and beat them. It happens again in 2025. The Lions beat the Eagles at the Linc.

Record: 8-2

Week 12 vs Giants

We think the Giants are going to be an up-and-coming team in 2025, and this could be a really fun one. The Giants remind me of that 2022 Lions team that snuck up on everybody. Sometimes the best teams get snuck up on, and if we have to give a sneaky win away, we're giving it to New York. 

Record: 8-3

Week 13 vs Packers

Yeah, the Lions beat the Packers twice last year, but this is still a revenge game from the last time these two teams played on Thanksgiving in 2023. The Lions are pretty good at getting revenge. They get it again this time. 

Record: 9-3

Week 14 vs Cowboys

It's Lions vs Cowboys again for like, the 28th year in a row. At least this time, the Lions will get home-field advantage. The Lions got their revenge last year, but they're not done yet. They get a primetime win at home. 

Record: 10-3

Week 15 at Rams

The Lions have played the Rams three times since the Jared Goff/Matthew Stafford trade. The Lions have won the last two. This Rams team is dangerous, and you can't count them out every single time. They get the win over the Lions this time and even the series. 

Record: 10-4

Week 16 vs Steelers

You have to really wonder who the Steelers' quarterback will be when this game goes down. Will it be Will Howard? Aaron Rodgers maybe? At the end of the day, this game won't be as easy as it might seem, but the Lions win. 

Record: 11-4

Week 17 at Vikings

On Christmas day (thanks, NFL, ya jerks), the Lions will head out to Minnesota to take on the Vikings in what could be an extremely important game for not only the NFC North, but playoff seeding too. We've got the Lions taking this one. You have to go with the quarterback with experience in these games. 

Record 12-4

Week 18 at Bears

This is going to be a fun game. Ben Johnson welcomes his former mentor into the building for the last game of the year. You always have to watch games like this because these are the ones where the protégé goes all in and gets the win. We think that's what happens here. Johnson gets his win over Campbell, and maybe this is the win Chicago needs to get into the playoffs. 

Final record: 12-5