The Detroit Lions' 2025 season is finally, officially, over.
Jared Goff had a fine game. So did Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, as well as the rest of Detroit's offense. The defense was actually decent for most of the contest, as well. It was one of those games that made a fair weather fan likely question about this Lions team was playing for absolutely nothing in Week 18, as they looked like a competent enough team.
Well, we know why. The Lions simply folded in too many games against NFC North opponents, and couldn't handle the pressure from top defenses going up against their shoddy O-line. Combine that with their defense's injury woes and well, it was a recipe for a 9-8 finish.
At least the time had the fight to not go down with a loss. Detroit handled the struggling Chicago Bears' offense with seeming ease, and they get to begin the process of offseason movements having gotten some good tape on key players.
3 winners and 2 losers from Lions' win against Bears
Winner: Jared Goff
Goff had a very good game to start this one, and then got progressively shakier with stranger play calling down the stretch from head coach Dan Campbell. Still, finishing up with 331 passing yards in addition to one touchdown (and with one pick that wasn't really his fault entirely) is not a bad way to end your 2025 campaign.
In the face of so much talk about his inability to face pressure, he handled a long season filled with conflict and disappointment with the leadership you'd want out of a franchise quarterback.
Winner: Jahmyr Gibbs
Don't call it a bounceback...as it was the last game of the season for Gibbs. But, it was still nice to see that he was able to break off some nice runs in this contest and a score. He's been struggling as of late to get going behind such an injured Lions offensive line, but with his legs, Detroit managed to find some balance on offense in Week 18.
Gibbs is due for a massive extension soon, and he proved his worth this season beyond measure: in games where he - and David Montgomery - rushed for an average of 69.4 yards, the team lost. When they averaged 170.5 rushing yards, they won. He hit 80 rushing yards alone in this one, and helped get the win for Detroit on the road.
Winner: Lions defense
While the Bears' offense has been struggling all season, the defense stepped up for most of this contest with huge stops on late down situations. The Lions' defensive line and specifically Rock Ya-Sin in the secondary were very poised throughout the game. This helped to throw Bears head coach Ben Johnson off balance just enough.
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Ya-Sin is one of several free agent defenders hitting the market this offseason, and he's someone the Lions should seriously consider re-signing with some uncertainty around Ennis Rakestraw Jr.'s ability to actually compete for a starting role in 2026.
Loser: Dan Campbell
If fans wanted proof of Campbell's ability to retain play-calling capabilities in 2026, this game should've shown everyone that that would be a bad idea. Campbell got way too cute at a key part of the contest when the Lions had 3rd and 1, orchestrating a flea flicker play that had Goff lining up as a receiver. It went terribly. The Lions won despite it.
Campbell, and the Lions front office, has to find a good match at OC this offseason, with a lot of intriguing names set to hit the market on Black Monday. Campbell cannot retain the responsibility moving forward, and nor can John Morton.