By Sunday 
There’s no more “Cinderella story” vibe in Detroit — the Lions are officially contenders. Again.
After back-to-back NFC North titles and a 15-2 finish in 2024, the Detroit Lions are heading into the 2025 NFL season with major expectations… and according to NFL analyst Frank Schwab, they’re still very much up to the task.
Despite losing both offensive and defensive coordinators this offseason, Schwab is confident in what Detroit is bringing to the table. “The good news is Detroit is still very, very good,” he wrote, placing the Lions as the third-best team in the NFL entering the new season. That’s no small compliment in a league where turnover is the norm.
Still Stacked on Offense
The heart of Detroit’s strength? Jared Goff and one of the league’s top offensive lines.
While losing offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could’ve been a serious blow, Schwab believes John Morton — who returns to Detroit after spending time with Sean Payton in Denver — is more than capable of keeping things humming. Add in the electric Jahmyr Gibbs and you’ve got one of the most dangerous backfields in football.
Goff, now easily the best quarterback in the NFC North, isn’t just a “game manager” anymore. He’s the guy. And the division? Full of question marks: J.J. McCarthy, Jordan Love, Caleb Williams — none of them are proven. Goff is.
New Faces, Same Identity
Let’s not sugarcoat it — Detroit’s coaching losses are a challenge. Aaron Glenn is gone, replaced by Kelvin Sheppard. But there’s a quiet confidence brewing in Allen Park. Sheppard has been with the team, working closely with the linebackers for years. He knows the system. More importantly, he knows the grit.
Dan Campbell’s crew isn’t losing its identity. This is still a team that fights. That hits. That rallies behind each other. Aidan Hutchinson will anchor a defense that might not be the best on paper, but nobody’s questioning their heart.
Can They Finally Break Through?
Here’s the real question: Can Detroit finally turn all this promise into a Super Bowl run?
They’ve had two gut-punch playoff exits in two years. And while Schwab is optimistic, he adds a dose of realism: “You can be an elite team and never make a Super Bowl.” That’s especially true in the loaded NFC, where the Eagles still look terrifying and the wrong injury or matchup can ruin everything.
Still, a 12-5 finish and a third straight division title? Feels not just realistic — but expected.
Bottom Line: Respect Earned
For years, Detroit was an afterthought. Now, they’re a permanent fixture in top-tier NFL conversations. Whether they can go the distance remains to be seen, but this much is clear:
The Detroit Lions are still very, very good.