The Detroit Lions walked out of Thanksgiving weekend with a record that says “winning team,” but their performance over the past month paints a very different picture. At 6-5, Detroit is technically in the playoff race—but anyone watching the last five games knows the truth: the Lions are hanging on by the thinnest margin possible.
This stretch hasn’t just been disappointing—it’s been revealing. Opponents aren’t intimidated anymore. They aren’t confused, overwhelmed, or worn down by Detroit’s intensity the way they once were. Instead, the Lions look predictable, slow to adjust, and far too dependent on a few key players to bail them out.
The defense, once the heart of this team’s identity, has suddenly stopped doing the two things Dan Campbell demands most: applying pressure and creating fear. Quarterbacks are getting comfortable. Running backs are finding lanes. And opposing offenses are playing their best football at Detroit’s expense.
Offensively, the Lions have talent but lack rhythm. Missed opportunities on key downs, uneven execution, and a concerning lack of finishing power have turned once-winnable games into frustrating losses. Even with playmakers like Amon-Ra St. Brown, the unit feels stuck in neutral when it matters most.
Fans know it. Analysts see it. Opponents feel it.
The Lions aren’t fooling anybody right now—and the scary part is, they’re not scaring anybody either.
Still, sitting above .500 this late in the season proves one thing: luck has played its part. Detroit has survived just enough close moments to stay alive. But surviving and competing are two very different things, and the Lions will need a dramatic turnaround over the final stretch if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The time for excuses is over. The next five games will determine everything.
The Lions Aren’t Fooling Anyone: A 5-Game Slide Exposes Every Weakness
