The Detroit Lions entered the 2025 season considered one of the biggest threats to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC. The Lions won 15 games in 2024, setting a franchise record on the way to the No. 1 seed, but couldn’t revalidate in the playoffs.

After losing 45-31 to the Washington Commanders in the 2024 divisional round, the Lions haven’t looked like their old self.

During a Sunday’s appearance on Fox Sports, three-time Super Bowl champion Julian Edelman said that the Lions lost something huge last season: their toughness.

“My takeaway is that the Detroit Lions may have lost their toughness,” Edelman said. “How are you a tough football team? You could run the football, you could stop the run, you protect the quarterback. Seven quarterback hits, three sacks on Jared Goff. Seven hurries.

“They couldn’t protect him and that’s Jared Goff, (he) needs to have that middle of the pocket, and then on the other side, the defensive line, zero sacks, three hurries. They just couldn’t get anything on Jordan Love and Jordan Love made them pay.”

The Lions couldn’t move past the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, losing their Thanksgiving Day matchup 31-24 at home. They never held a lead in this game, and whenever they tried to get close to Green Bay, Love and Co. found the end zone again.

Detroit was ineffective on fourth down (0-2) while the Packers converted in each opportunity they had (3-3). They lost the regular-season series to Green Bay after losing the season opener at Lambeau Field.

The season is still salvageable, but the Lions can’t afford more performances like this. They will host the inspired Dallas Cowboys in Week 14, before visiting the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams, in Week 15. Their last three matchups will be against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears, respectively.

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