It\u2019s a daunting schedule based on the team\u2019s success a year ago. It won\u2019t be easy playing the league\u2019s toughest rivals on the road, but it shouldn\u2019t be an issue. Last year, the Lions were the only NFL team to earn a perfect record on the road, winning all eight of their away games.<\/p>\n
Lions Toughest Competition May Come From Within The Division<\/p>\n
The NFC North division could be the strongest in the NFL. Last season, the majority of other divisions only had one playoff team, but three of the four NFC North teams made the playoffs. This year\u2019s NFC North division looks even more competitive.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, Dan Campbell<\/a> wouldn\u2019t have it any other way. To be the best, you have to beat the best. \u201cI\u2019m not worried about the schedule. I think it\u2019s perfect,\u201d<\/a> Campbell said during OTAs. \u201cI think it\u2019s going to be what\u2019s best for us with where we\u2019re at going into 2025. My fifth year here, the core of this team\u2019s fifth year, and I think it\u2019s exactly what we\u2019re going to need. The timing is perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n Campbell went on to add, \u201cJust to get through our division is going to be brutal. But it\u2019s the right kind of brutal.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The Chicago Bears\u00a0<\/p>\n Just as the Lions spent the off-season shoring up the defense and boosting other roster positions, their division opponents have done the same. Last year, the Chicago Bears<\/a> were the only NFC North team with a losing record. But the division\u2019s perennial basement dweller over the past five years is looking to rebound under new head coach Ben Johnson<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Although their new head coach is accustomed to having Jared Goff,<\/a> an MVP-caliber talent<\/a> and the league\u2019s most talented offense<\/a> at his disposal, it\u2019s expected that the Bears are a work in progress. Nonetheless, Johnson has pulled out all the stops to set up second-year quarterback Caleb Williams<\/a>\u00a0for success.\u00a0<\/p>\n Williams\u2019s rookie season was brutal. Although his official stat line of 3,551 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions was impressive, Williams succumbed to a league-leading 68 sacks last year. To ensure his franchise quarterback doesn\u2019t suffer the same fate this season, Johnson completely overhauled the Chicago offensive line. \u00a0He acquired Kansas City guard Joe Thuney and Los Angeles Rams guard Jonah Jackson through trades. Next, Johnson aggressively pursued Atlanta Falcons free agent center Drew Dalman<\/a>, signing him to a three-year $42 million contract.\u00a0<\/p>\n Prioritizing the offense in the draft, Johnson selected talented Michigan tight end Colston Loveland<\/a> with the 10th overall pick. Graded by NFL analyst Lance Zierlein as an \u201celite year-one starter,\u201d Loveland has been compared favorably to Sam La Porta.<\/a> In the second round, Johnson drafted Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III<\/a> with the 39th overall pick. Burden joins veteran talent D.J. Moore<\/a>, who recorded the 7th most receiving yards last year, and promising young receiver Rome Odunze<\/a>.<\/p>\n Key To Success:<\/p>\n Bolstered by a new offensive line and enhanced receiving options, can Williams achieve the same success he had in college?<\/p>\n Biggest Unknown:<\/p>\n Johnson has a keen offensive mind but lacks experience as a head coach. Will he see the big picture, or make rash decisions under pressure? Last year, during the divisional Championship game between the Lions and the Commanders, Johnson made some highly questionable calls.<\/p>\n Johnson won\u2019t hesitate to use his inside knowledge of Detroit\u2019s strengths and weaknesses. But one thing is certain, Coach Campbell will have the Lions fired up to face Johnson.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Green Bay Packers\u00a0<\/p>\n During the \u00a0Brad Holmes\/<\/a>\u00a0Dan Campbell <\/a>era, the Lions are 6-2 against the Green Bay Packers, <\/a>including three consecutive wins at Lambeau Field. \u00a0Nonetheless, the Packers are a solid team and continue to be a formidable rival for Detroit.\u00a0<\/p>\n Despite the surprise release of Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander,<\/a> the Packers maintain one of the more complete rosters in the league. During the off-season, coach Matt LaFleur strengthened his roster with the addition of San Francisco 49ers<\/a> guard Aaron Banks<\/a>, Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> veteran cornerback Nate Hobbs<\/a>, and former Kansas City wide receiver Mecole Hardman<\/a>.<\/p>\n The addition of Banks provides added protection for talented RB Josh Jacobs and the Packers\u2019 ground game. Hobbs should help offset the loss of Alexander, and the addition of Hardman provides another offensive option. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n Perhaps the biggest off-season move by the Packers was landing their first-round draft pick Matthew Golden<\/a>. The highest-rated wide receiver in the 2025 draft, Golden is poised to become a huge weapon for quarterback Jordan Love<\/a>. Golden joins Packers veterans Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson in a stacked receiving room. In addition to Golden, Green Bay drafted a promising third-round pick out of TCU, wide receiver Savion Williams.<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n Key To Success:<\/p>\n Love struggled on the field last year and missed a couple of games due to injuries. He completed 268 of 425 throws for 3,389 yards for 25 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. By comparison, Goff completed 390 of 539 for 4,629 with 37 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.\u00a0<\/p>\n Biggest Unknown:<\/p>\n Despite his recent history of injuries, Alexander was a strong presence on the field when he played. What will the defense look like without him and the addition of Hobbs?<\/p>\n The Minnesota Vikings\u00a0 The Minnesota Vikings<\/a> were one of the toughest competitors the Lions faced last year. Both teams entered Week 18 with 14-2 records, battling for the NFC Division crown and the number one seed. However, in a lopsided 31-9 victory,<\/a> the Lions demolished any hope the Vikings had of claiming the title.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n With LB Alex Anzalone<\/a> back from injury leading the charge, the Lions\u2019 defense was superb, shutting down quarterback Sam Darnold<\/a> and one of the NFL\u2019s best offenses. Anzalone accounted for seven tackles, a quarterback hit, and a pass defense. The defense mounted a relentless attack to keep the Vikings out of the endzone. Cornerback Amik Robertson<\/a>\u00a0limited All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson<\/a> to three catches for 54 yards. \u00a0<\/p>\n How has Minnesota\u2019s offense changed this year? Former University of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy<\/a> will finally take the field for the first time after a devastating injury that ended his season before it even began. \u00a0<\/p>\n Coach Kevin O\u2019Connell<\/a> has set McCarthy<\/a> up for success this season, providing him with a great receiving crew in Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and the offseason addition of Rondale Moore. \u00a0In addition, he has Aaron Jones in the backfield and T.J. Hockenson at tight end as offensive weapons. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition, the Vikings\u2019 o-line is beefed up by the addition of free agent guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly. Minnesota drafted the number-two-ranked guard, selecting Ohio State OL Donovan Jackson<\/a> as their first-round pick.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n O\u2019Connell\u2019s biggest free agency moves were reserved for the Vikings\u2019 defense. After signing former Commanders\u2019 DT Jonathan Allen and 49ers\u2019 DT Javon Hargrave to disrupt opposing quarterbacks, O\u2019Connell boosted his secondary with the signing of former Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers.<\/p>\n Key To Success:\u00a0<\/p>\n The key to the Vikings\u2019 success is also their biggest unknown. How quickly will starting quarterback McCarthy adapt as an NFL quarterback? Paving the way for McCarthy is his quarterback-friendly head coach. \u00a0<\/p>\n O\u2019Connell has earned a well-deserved reputation as a \u201cquarterback whisperer\u201d following his multi-year success with Kirk Cousins and an astonishing turnaround with NFL journeyman Darnold.<\/a> O\u2019Connell is joined by Vikings quarterback coach Josh McCown, who helped Darnold achieve a career season with 14 wins, over 4,300 passing yards, and 35 touchdowns.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n Biggest Unknown:<\/p>\n
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Detroit Lions defensive end Levi Onwuzurike (91) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.<\/p>\n