By Moses Joshua 
Lions Announce Major Updates on Key Star Players Ahead of Showdown vs. Rams
The Detroit Lions enter Week 15 with momentum, clarity, and—for the first time in weeks—some historic good news about two of their most important defensive players.
A Surging Playoff Push Meets a Milestone Moment
Fresh off a statement 44–30 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football, Detroit suddenly looks much more like a team poised to make a December push. The victory bumped their postseason probability to 53%, per NFL Research, and kept their 2025 hopes very much alive.
Now sitting at 8–5, the Lions head into a high-profile December 7 matchup against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams—an emotional showdown for fans and players alike. But before shifting fully to L.A., Detroit paused to celebrate something special.
Two of their most disruptive defenders just made franchise history.
Hutchinson and Muhammad Make Lions History
On Monday, December 8, the Lions announced that Aidan Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad have become the first Detroit duo since 1988 to each record 8 sacks through the first 13 games of a season—a feat more than three decades in the making.
The reaction from fans was instant and emphatic. Many pointed to general manager Brad Holmes, who has consistently backed the pass-rushing tandem.
“Al-Quadin is the DE we’ve needed. Brad Holmes was right, we good,” one fan commented.
Another added, “I told them we didn’t need edge rushers.”
But perhaps the most fitting sentiment came from a fan focused on what comes next:
“Congrats to both, but please… let’s keep it going. Huge game against the Rams coming up.”
For a team ravaged at times by defensive injuries, the steady dominance of Hutchinson and Muhammad has been essential. Their pressure was a major reason the Lions overwhelmed Dallas—and it will be just as critical against Stafford’s precision passing attack.
Playoff Math: Lions Still Chasing, but Closing the Gap
Even with the win, Detroit’s playoff odds dipped slightly from the initial live projections (from 54% to 53%) once the rest of the NFC games wrapped on Sunday. That’s because the NFC North standings took yet another turn.
Green Bay defeated Chicago, knocking the Bears down to No. 2 in the division and keeping the Packers firmly in first at 9–3–1.
That outcome quietly helped the Lions.
Detroit now sits one game behind Chicago, making their Week 18 meeting potentially decisive. Meanwhile:
- Packers hold a 94% playoff probability
- Bears sit at 64%
- Lions remain in the hunt at 53%
And yes—the Lions will once again be in the unusual position of rooting for Green Bay in two weeks when the Packers and Bears meet again. As strange as it sounds, Detroit needs another Packers win to keep their own path as clean as possible.
It’s uncomfortable. But necessary.
All Eyes on L.A.
With momentum, milestones, and the standings tightening, the Lions’ showdown with the Rams now looms even larger. Detroit will need their pass-rush duo to stay hot, their offense to stay explosive, and the breaks around the conference to continue falling their way.
If they deliver another complete performance, the playoff picture could look even brighter by Monday morning.
And thanks to Hutchinson and Muhammad, they’re heading into that challenge with confidence—and a bit of franchise history behind them.