The Detroit Lions have been one of the premier teams in the NFL over the last two seasons, but an NFL analyst believes Dan Campbell's squad will take a step back in 2025.
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton predicts the Lions will post a 9-8 record in 2025 and finish third in the NFC North behind the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.
Moton also predicts that the Packers will win the division for the first time since 2021.
"The Lions lost some direction with the departure of their offensive and defensive coordinators. They also lost starting experience on the interior of their offensive line following the retirement of center Frank Ragnow and the loss of Kevin Zeitler via free agency," Moton wrote.
The departures of coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn could hurt the Lions, as the pair were two of the best assistant coaches in football and key parts of the franchise turnaround under Campbell. Detroit replaced them with John Morton and Kelvin Sheppard.
However, Detroit's offense and defense are still filled with the talent capable of competing for a Super Bowl. The changes at both coordinator positions shouldn't stop the units from being as productive and effective as they were in previous years.
As for the losses on the offensive line, the Lions replaced Kevin Zeitler, who left for the Tennessee Titans in free agency, with rookie second-round pick Tate Ratledge. Graham Glasgow will slide into the center spot to replace Frank Ragnow, who retired in June.
Though Ratledge and Glasgow have big shoes to fill at their respective positions, the duo should be solid on the interior for Detroit, and the Lions should once again have one of the better offensive lines in football.
Overall, though Detroit may not go 15-2 like they did in 2024, Campbell's group should be a playoff team again and is still the favorites to take home the NFC North crown for the third straight season.
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