By Moses Joshua 
After Detroit’s season ended in disappointment, one familiar face is thriving on the NFL’s biggest stage — and doing everything possible to bring home another Lombardi Trophy.
A Familiar Name Still Playing for Something Bigger
Detroit Lions fans were left searching for silver linings once Week 18 closed the door on the franchise’s playoff hopes. A late-season collapse pushed the Lions out of the postseason for the first time since 2022, leaving fans with little choice but to track former players still chasing a championship.
One of those players is veteran cornerback Carlton Davis III, and his postseason impact has been impossible to ignore.
Now with the New England Patriots, Davis is very much alive in the playoff hunt — and firmly positioned to make another Super Bowl run.
Carlton Davis Shines When the Lights Are Brightest
Davis may have spent just one season in Detroit, but his talent has always been undeniable. After six years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Lions acquired him for the 2024 season. His strong play ultimately priced him out of Detroit, leading to a three-year, $60 million deal with New England — a contract that already looks justified.
In the Patriots’ Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans, Davis delivered a masterclass in coverage.
According to Pro Football Focus, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud targeted Davis eight times. The result? Just three completions for 33 yards, zero yards after the catch, and a jaw-dropping 10.9 passer rating when throwing in his direction.
That performance included:
- Two interceptions
- Multiple pass breakups
- His most disruptive game since Week 13
One interception, in particular, stood out — a stunning, acrobatic play near the sideline that Davis somehow managed to keep in bounds.
A Scare, But the Goal Remains the Same
Davis’ dominant outing came with an unfortunate twist. He was forced to exit the game in the second half after suffering a head injury and was ruled out shortly after, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. His status moving forward remains uncertain, but New England will certainly hope he’s available for the AFC Championship Game.
Even without knowing his immediate availability, one thing is clear: the Patriots are a far more dangerous team when Davis is on the field.
Including the postseason, Davis has held opposing quarterbacks to:
- 48 completions on 80 targets (60.0%)
- 491 yards
- Four touchdowns
- An 83.9 passer rating
He’s also added 61 solo tackles, 12 pass breakups, and two interceptions — production that highlights just how valuable he remains at age 29.
Bittersweet Success for Lions Fans
For Lions fans, watching Davis excel brings mixed emotions. Detroit’s secondary struggled throughout much of the 2025 season, and a stabilizing presence like Davis could have made a significant difference.
Instead, he’s now helping another franchise chase a championship — and doing it at a high level.
If the Patriots can navigate the AFC and Davis can return healthy, the path to the Super Bowl is very real. Should everything fall into place, he could capture his second Lombardi Trophy, adding to the ring he won with Tampa Bay nearly five years ago.
One Last Reason to Keep Watching
With Detroit’s season ending on a sour note, stories like Davis’ provide Lions fans with at least one reason to stay invested in the postseason. Seeing a former Lion thrive on football’s biggest stage isn’t the ending anyone hoped for — but it’s a reminder of the talent that once wore Honolulu blue.
Now, all eyes turn to Davis’ health and whether his relentless playoff push ends with another championship celebration.