Lions’ Grueling Final Stretch Could Decide Their 2026 Season
The Detroit Lions may see their entire 2026 season come down to one brutal month of football.
To close the regular season, Dan Campbell’s team faces an unforgiving four-game stretch that includes road matchups against all three NFC North rivals — Minnesota in Week 15, Chicago in Week 17, and Green Bay in Week 18. Sandwiched in between is a Monday Night Football showdown with John Harbaugh and the New York Giants in Week 16.
Detroit has largely dominated division play since 2022, compiling an impressive 17-7 record against NFC North opponents during that span.
But 2025 told a different story.
The Lions regressed to 9-8 overall and struggled badly within the division, finishing just 2-4 against NFC North teams. They were swept by both the Packers and Vikings, though they did manage to defeat Chicago twice during Ben Johnson’s first season as Bears head coach.
The low point came on Christmas Day, when Detroit’s playoff hopes effectively ended in a loss to Minnesota led by undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer.
It was one of the franchise’s ugliest offensive performances in years. Jared Goff and the offense turned the ball over six times — their highest total since 2015 — while averaging only 3.61 yards per play. Statistically, it ranked among the Lions’ least efficient offensive outings of the past decade and their worst since 2020.
After winning consecutive NFC North titles in 2023 and 2024, missing the playoffs in 2025 marked a major disappointment for Detroit.
Unfortunately for the Lions, the division projects to be even tougher in 2026.
Chicago enters the season as the defending NFC North champion after an 11-5 campaign, while Green Bay is coming off its third straight playoff appearance. Minnesota also appears improved after acquiring quarterback Kyler Murray in the offseason and is expected to contend for a postseason spot.
That means Detroit could once again face the possibility of being overwhelmed within the division if it fails to respond.
For Campbell and the Lions to return to playoff contention, reestablishing themselves against NFC North opponents will likely be essential. A strong divisional record — potentially something in the range of 4-2 — may be necessary to keep pace in one of the league’s toughest divisions.
That reality makes Detroit’s daunting final four weeks even more significant. By the time the regular season reaches its closing stretch, the Lions may have little margin for error — and those games could ultimately determine whether their season ends in the playoffs or disappointment once again.
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