By Moses Joshua 
Why Detroit’s season may hinge on a single problem in the trenches
The Hidden Weakness Threatening Detroit’s Postseason Dreams
For all the talent, leadership, and resilience the Detroit Lions bring to the field, their 2025 campaign now appears to revolve around one brutally simple question: can they fix the trenches in time? What was once this team’s greatest advantage has unexpectedly become its biggest liability — and the numbers tell an uncomfortable story.
From Dominance to Vulnerability: A Stark Year-to-Year Shift
Just one season ago, Detroit’s offensive and defensive lines were the backbone of a 15–2 run, even as injuries forced countless adjustments. The offensive line kept Jared Goff upright, opened clean lanes for Jahmyr Gibbs, and carried the unit through weeks without David Montgomery. On the defensive side, a patched-together front, bolstered by Za’Darius Smith, found ways to generate pressure even without Aidan Hutchinson.
This year, everything looks different — and not in a good way.
One telling metric, highlighted by MLive reporter Kory Woods, spotlights the heart of the problem. The Lions’ defensive line is taking an average of 5.2 seconds to register a sack, the slowest mark in the NFL. At the same time, the offensive line’s instability has forced Goff into tighter windows and quicker decisions, adding strain to an offense built around timing and protection.
Without protection on one side and without pressure on the other, Detroit’s postseason outlook becomes alarmingly fragile.
Trouble Up Front: Offensive Line Still Searching for Answers
The warning signs began immediately in Week 1. Rashan Gary and Micah Parsons tore through Detroit’s reshuffled interior, exposing a unit still learning to play together after a major offseason shakeup. What seemed like a one-off bad day turned into a pattern — one repeated against Minnesota, then Philadelphia, and again in late November.
Even with Frank Ragnow now un-retiring to stabilize the center of the line, there’s no guarantee the group can return to its former dominance quickly enough to matter.
Still, Jared Goff hasn’t wavered in his belief. Ahead of Thanksgiving, he praised the group’s effort, saying, “They’re just gonna put their head down and work, and I’m proud of those guys, and thankful for them for laying it on the line for me, and for the running backs every game.”
His confidence is admirable — but Detroit needs execution to match it.
A Pass Rush Running on Fumes
On the defensive side, Aidan Hutchinson continues to play at an elite level. But even the best edge rushers lose their impact when they’re chipped, doubled, and schemed against with little threat elsewhere on the line. The absence of consistent help from Al-Quadin Muhammad has only magnified the issue.
The Lions’ gamble on Marcus Davenport — a talented but frequently injured pass rusher — may finally begin paying off, as he is set to return in Week 12 against Green Bay. Fresh legs, even in a rotational role, could give Hutchinson just enough relief to tilt key matchups back in Detroit’s favor.
A Crucial Four-Game Stretch Will Decide Everything
The path forward is unforgiving. Over the next several weeks, Detroit will face the Cowboys, Rams, Steelers, and Vikings — all teams capable of generating heat in the trenches. Some boast deep, relentless defensive lines. Others have at least one star who can wreck a play single-handedly.
If Detroit’s offensive and defensive fronts rise to the challenge, the Lions can still control their playoff destiny. If not?
The playoffs may slip away before the calendar even turns.