Top-seeded Lions Super Bowl Hopes Come to a Screeching Halt

Same old Lions.

You’ve probably heard the “SOL” mantra from friends, relatives, or co-workers who have quickly jumped off the Detroit Lions bandwagon after the Washington Commanders stunned the Lions 45-31 in a Divisional Round game Saturday night at Ford Field.

The loss halted Detroit’s Super Bowl hopes in a season where the Lions rolled to a franchise-record 15 victories and the top seed in the National Football Conference.

Detroit had no answer for Washington and its rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, a passing/running dynamo, who shredded the Lions’ defense all night long. The six-seeded Commanders rolled up 481 yards against a depleted Detroit defense. The Lions, meanwhile, produced 521 total yards, but couldn’t overcome the five turnovers – including a pick six - they gift wrapped for Washington.

The Lions won its first-ever NFC North title in the 2023 season before embarking on its first run to the NFC Championship Game since the 1991 season. The Lions became America's darling after decades-long futility. Fans in the Motor City, the state of Michigan, and around the nation became believers and fed off of head coach Dan Campbell’s energy and emotion.

Snakebit? Jinxed? The Bobby Layne curse?

Say what you must, but Detroit wasn’t going to win a Super Bowl with a patchwork defense. Injuries hampered the Lions since early in the season but defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn kept plugging the holes with reserves and Gorilla Glue. But on the second defensive play of the game the Lions lost cornerback Amik Robertson with a broken elbow which came from friendly fire. Robertson was playing some of his best football as of late and was really Detroit’s only shut-down corner.

Football is a tremendously violent game and injuries are part of the game. But the Lions were decimated early on when defensive end Aidan Hutchinson broke his leg. Well, actually he broke two bones in his leg – his tibia and fibula. And get this: his injury also came from friendly fire as he collided with defensive tackle Alim McNeil. Ironically, McNeill was later lost for the season with a torn ACL.

One of the key defensive injuries that the network’s broadcasting buffoons haven’t zeroed in on was the loss of linebacker Derrick Barnes who went down with a torn PCL and MCL. Barnes was playing superbly at inside linebacker as he an Alex Anzalone formed a solid duo in the Lions’ man coverage defense. Barnes was replaced by Jack Campbell who filled in admirably. Anzalone, meanwhile, missed six games due to a broke forearm injury. His replacement, Malcolm Rodriguez, was playing very well before he was lost with a torn ACL injury.

You see where I’m going here? It’s called piling on.

The personnel losses on defense mounted as Detroit lost defensive tackles Kyle Peko (pectoral) and Mekhi Wingo (knee), and defensive ends Marcus Davenport (triceps), John Cominsky (torn MCL), and Nate Lynn (shoulder). The Lions also released reserve defensive end James Houston halfway through the season, cutting ties with a player who failed to produce as well as he did during his rookie season.

The defensive backfield also wasn’t spared. Cornerback Khalil Dorsey was lost because of ankle injury and Emmanuel Moseley disappeared from the roster with a mysterious lower body injury. Carlton Davis III went down with a broken jaw and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. was placed on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury.

Lions fans have to come to the realization that because of our potent offense and its multiple weapons, we simply outscored many teams this past season. The best game Detroit’s defense played this season was in the regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings which earned the Lions the top seed.

How do the Lions get better?

So where do we go from here? Detroit obviously needs to bolster their defensive line and defensive backfield. Lions President Ron Wood and General Manager Brad Holmes have done a tremendous job the past few years with the draft. But with the draft you’re adding players who won’t make an impact for a couple of years, and the Lions window of opportunity is now. Since there really aren’t very many trades in the NFL, Detroit will need to go the free agency route. On offense, the team needs depth along the offensive line and probably should add another reliable receiver.

Ben Johnson has been a hot commodity in head coaching searches across the league since he took over as the Lions' play-caller in 2022. Detroit has ranked in top-5 in scoring each season Johnson has been coordinator, including a league-leading 33.2 points per game in 2024. I believe Johnson will stay but we’ll probably lose Glenn.

Lions losing is generational

When my late father was alive, he and I used to watch the Detroit Lions games together. We would often debate on whether it was the Ford family that was hampering the Lions. Or was it the front office who was responsible for the drafting? Or, should the blame be placed squarely on the shoulders of the players? Truthfully, it’s a combination of all the above.

My father was a huge Lions fan but he vowed that they wouldn’t win a Super Bowl in his lifetime. Unfortunately, he was correct. I have been watching them for six decades and I’m clearly wondering if I’m going to wind up in the same boat. 

I’ve been around sports in one way or another for over 60 years. I understand that for every Joey Harrington, there’s a Brian Branch. And for every Nick Eddy, there’s a Jahmyr Gibbs.

So, I’m going to remain positive, hope we heel up, and forge ahead next year.