Lions finally given a break in latest 'boom or bust' predictions for 2025 season

The Detroit Lions have finally been cut some slack in an article speculating which NFL teams have the biggest "boom or bust" potential ahead of the 2025 season.

Two of their rivals in the NFC North - the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings - were named as two of the ten teams that could either really explode onto the scene in the league this season or completely fizzle out. The latter has been how many analysts have described what they expect to see from the Lions this season due to the number of coaching changes they experienced.

In the write up in Bleacher Report done by writer Brad Gagnon, the Vikings are estimated to be the 10th team on the boom or bust scale this season, all thanks to the uncertainty surrounding the talent of J.J. McCarthy. Outside of his talent, there's legitimate concern, writes Gagnon, about how he will look having just come off a major knee injury.

Lions avoid boom or bust territory in latest rankings

"The sheer talent on both sides of the ball is enough to get Minnesota a wild-card spot but not enough to overtake the Lions. McCarthy's greenness catches up to the team in January and it goes one-and-down in the playoffs," says Gagnon of the Vikings' chances in the NFC this season.

The Bears are at the completely opposite end of the spectrum here. They're named as the top team with boom or bust potential, with a chance to actually run the gauntlet in the NFC North if Caleb Williams is able to take a huge step forward with Ben Johnson now in tow at head coach.

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On the flip side, Gagnon says Chicago also runs the risk of witnessing Williams completely flop against the tougher competition in the NFC North and NFC overall. While he struggles to adjust the his new coach and a new offensive system, the Bears struggle with him.

"The Bears are not ready to slay the rest of the division, but the trajectory is awesome and I believe in Johnson. They will improve on a 5-12 campaign last year with at least seven or eight wins in 2025," predicts Gagnon ultimately.

The Green Bay Packers and Lions avoided such a label in this piece, presumably hammering home the thought that they'll be the teams to watch for the NFC North title this season. Both are constructed to win now, whereas the Vikings and Bears have major uncertainty at their most important position.

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