The Detroit Lions closed their 2025 regular season with a gritty Week 18 victory over the Chicago Bears, and while the final score put a positive stamp on the year’s last game, individual performances varied wildly. Let’s break down the studs and duds from the matchup.
🔥 STUDS
1. Amon-Ra St. Brown — Impact Playmaker
Even with lingering injury concerns, St. Brown showed why he’s one of the NFL’s most reliable receivers. He made tough catches in key spots, consistently got open against tight coverage, and helped keep drives alive. When the game was still in the balance early, his presence mattered.
2. Jared Goff — Veteran Command
Goff managed the game smartly, protected the football, and delivered strikes when it counted. His experience showed, especially in pressure situations where calm execution was needed to sustain drives.
3. Defensive Front — Consistent Pressure
Despite missing some key defenders, Detroit’s front got after the Bears’ quarterback when it mattered. The pressure disrupted Chicago’s rhythm and helped tilt the game in Detroit’s favor.
4. Special Teams Spark
Field position and timely returns put the Lions in advantageous spots throughout the game. Special teams often get overlooked, but in a tight fight against a division rival, they stood out.
❌ DUDS
1. Offensive Line — Mixed Protection & Push
Even without All-Pro Penei Sewell, Detroit’s line struggled at times to sustain blocks in the run game and protect Goff cleanly. While they didn’t derail the win, inconsistent reps surfaced that the Lions still need to fix moving forward.
2. Secondary Coverage Breakdowns
There were several moments where Bears receivers found soft spots in coverage — and more than once it led to chunk yardage. Against better offenses, those lapses won’t be acceptable.
3. Penalty Yardage
Too often, Detroit hurt itself with avoidable penalties. Even in a win, those mistakes can kill momentum and extend opponent drives.
🧠 FINAL THOUGHTS
Detroit’s Week 18 win was a confidence booster, especially with several younger players stepping up in key moments. The studs from this game — leadership, playmaking, and execution under pressure — give fans something to build on heading into the offseason.
But the duds are reminders that growth is still necessary. Offensive line consistency and defensive discipline must improve if Detroit wants to go from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender.
