How likely is it that the Detroit Lions bounce back from missing out on the postseason entirely in 2025 with a postseason berth - and a divisional title - in 2026?
Well, an easy schedule plus a relatively healthier roster should indicate that they will get back to their 2024 production. Right?
Not so fast. The rest of the NFC North looks primed for at least a winning record, and seem ready to be a real problem for Detroit in their quest to return to the top of the division this year. FanSided's latest 2026 season projection, put together by Cody Williams, seems to agree with that reality, with the Lions projected to finish third in the division thanks to a stumble against their divisional rivals at the end of their year:
"In what should be one of the best top-to-bottom divisions in football, the Bears' resurgence is at least slightly quelled by the Packers reasserting dominance in the division. But the Lions will still be competing for a playoff spot, and the 8-9 mark for the Vikings, while not postseason-worthy, does portend that we believe in Kyler Murray helping this group bounce back from the J.J. McCarthy of it all."
Lions predicted to sputter to finish line, lose NFC North title
After a fairly strong showing against a very weak middle part of their schedule in this projection, FanSided's panelists have the Lions going 1-4 against the rest of the division. Namely, they have Detroit dropping their last two games against the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers to end their season 11-6, and third in the NFC North.
The entire division ends up as follows:
Green Bay Packers: 14-3
Chicago Bears: 12-5
Detroit Lions: 11-6
Minnesota Vikings: 8-9
These finishes feel a little unrealistic for a few reasons. We'll agree that the Lions' final two games against the Bears and Packers, on the road and in the cold, feel like obvious "Jared Goff stinker" opportunities for the weather aspect alone. But, this projection really discounts Minnesota's ability to bounce back this season and prove more of a challenge to the rest of the division, as opposed to them floundering again.
The Vikings, after all, are one of those teams where they were just one quarterback away from having a very formidable squad in 2025. They got their quarterback and didn't change much else, so why would they finish with a losing record?
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Additionally, the Lions' health will be a huge boost to them in their games against Green Bay and Minnesota at the end of October and beginning of November. They're expected to have Cade Mays back by then, as well as potentially having Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph back starting at safety. That would shake things up entirely for those teams' passing games, and their defenses.
This is all in good fun, and we obviously can't see into the future. But, this projection is doing quite a bit of heavy lifting for the Packers and Bears, who have the 24th and 26th easiest schedules in the NFL, per Sharp Football Analysis. Detroit should be able to take full advantage of their lighter schedule, and of the rest of the division's very tough schedules.
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