The Detroit Lions didn’t just lose a game — they lost breathing room, momentum, and a major piece of their playoff cushion. Getting swept by the Green Bay Packers has left Detroit staring at one of the tightest postseason paths they’ve faced under Dan Campbell. What was once a comfortable position is now a razor’s edge, and with only five games remaining, Detroit’s margin for error is officially gone.
The Packers came into this matchup hungry, aggressive, and fully aware of what was at stake — and they walked out with total control of the NFC North race. As for the Lions, the loss exposed lingering issues that have haunted the team all season: slow starts, shaky protection, costly turnovers, and breakdowns in critical moments. Detroit simply couldn’t overcome them this time.
To make matters worse, injuries continue piling up. Amon-Ra St. Brown’s ankle situation adds another layer of difficulty for an offense that already struggles with consistency. Meanwhile, a defense missing key playmakers has been forced to play bend-but-don’t-break football — and lately, it’s breaking.
Now, the Lions aren’t out of the fight, not even close. But the comfortable path is gone. Every remaining game is essentially a must-win scenario, and Detroit will need leadership, discipline, and a little bit of luck to claw their way back into postseason position.
The good news? This team has shown they can respond when the pressure is greatest. The bad news? They’ll have to — immediately. The playoff race is here, and Detroit has no more time to wait.
Lions’ Playoff Hopes Hit Crisis Mode After Brutal Sweep by Packers
