The current score of Detroit Lions game isn't ticking on a scoreboard right now. That's the cold, hard truth. If you're looking for a live play-by-play today, January 15, 2026, you're going to find a lot of silence at Ford Field. The Lions wrapped up their 2025-2026 regular season on January 4, and since they didn't make the postseason cut, the "current" status of the team is basically "cleaning out lockers."
Their final outing was a 19-16 nail-biter against the Chicago Bears. It was a weird one. Honestly, it was the most "Lions" way to end a season. They dominated for three quarters, looked like world-beaters, and then nearly gave the whole thing away in a fourth-quarter meltdown that had fans reaching for the blood pressure medication.
The Final Score: Lions 19, Bears 16
Let’s break down that last game because it tells the whole story of the season. Detroit went into Soldier Field as the underdog. The Bears were already the NFC North champions, looking to coast into the playoffs. Meanwhile, Dan Campbell’s squad was just fighting for pride and a winning record.
The first half was all Detroit. Jake Bates, the breakout kicker who has basically become a local hero, was the only one putting points up for a while. He hit from 42 yards as time expired to seal the win, but the road there was rocky. Amon-Ra St. Brown was doing his usual thing, hauling in 11 catches for 139 yards. He was the engine. Without him, this offense would have stalled out in the cold Chicago wind.
Detroit led 16-0 going into the fourth. Then, the wheels fell off. Chicago put up 16 unanswered points in what felt like five minutes. Caleb Williams finally woke up, and suddenly, the Lions were staring at a 16-16 tie with seconds left.
Jared Goff, who finished the game 27-of-42 for 331 yards, managed to find Jahmyr Gibbs for a crucial 15-yard gain that set up the game-winning kick. Gibbs was a spark plug all year, and he finished that game with 20 fantasy points if you're the type of person who still tracks that in Week 18. He caught a 15-yard touchdown earlier in the game too, which was Goff’s 34th TD pass of the year.
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Why the Current Score of Detroit Lions Game Left Fans Frustrated
Winning is great. Ending the season 9-8 feels a lot better than 8-9. But let’s be real: this team was supposed to be in the playoffs.
Looking at the final NFC North standings, it’s a mess.
- Chicago Bears: 11-6
- Green Bay Packers: 9-7-1
- Minnesota Vikings: 9-8
- Detroit Lions: 9-8
The Lions finished last in the division. Think about that. They had a winning record and still ended up at the bottom of the basement because of tiebreakers and a 2-4 record within the division. Minnesota swept them. That’s what killed the season. You can’t lose twice to the Vikings and expect to play in January.
The defense was the main culprit. While Goff and the offense ranked 5th overall in the league (averaging 373.2 yards per game), the defense was stuck at 18th. They gave up way too many big plays in the passing game, ranking 21st in pass defense. When you’re playing in a division with Caleb Williams and Jordan Love, you can’t have a secondary that leaks like a screen door.
What Happened to Sam LaPorta?
One major reason the current score of Detroit Lions game ended up being "season over" was the loss of Sam LaPorta. The star tight end went down back in November during the win against Washington. It was a herniated disk.
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LaPorta tried to gut it out, but he eventually had surgery. He missed the final eight games. You could see the impact immediately. The red zone offense, which was lethal in 2024, became stagnant. Goff lost his security blanket. Recently, LaPorta mentioned he’s progressing well and expects to be "running around" during OTAs this spring. But for the 2025 season, his absence was a gaping hole they couldn't fill.
Offseason Shakeups Already Starting
The dust hasn't even settled, and the coaching staff is already changing. The Lions fired offensive coordinator John Morton after just one season. It’s a bit of a surprise given the yardage totals, but clearly, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell weren't happy with the consistency.
They’re also looking for a new secondary coach. D.J. Reed had a decent year when he was healthy—46 tackles and two picks—but he missed six games with a hamstring issue. The team needs more depth at corner. Terrion Arnold is the future, but he needs a partner who can stay on the field.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Since there is no game today, the focus shifts to the 2026 schedule, which is already locked in. Because they finished fourth in the North, they actually get a "last place" schedule next year. This could be the silver lining.
They’ll face:
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- The NFC South (Saints, Bucs, Falcons, Panthers)
- The AFC East (Patriots, Jets, Bills, Dolphins)
- The fourth-place finishers from the AFC South (Titans), NFC East (Giants), and NFC West (Cardinals).
That looks a lot more manageable than the gauntlet they ran this year.
Actionable Next Steps for Lions Fans
If you're wondering what to do now that the Sunday routine is broken, here’s how to stay plugged in:
- Watch the Draft Order: The Lions are currently slated to pick in the middle of the first round. With the secondary being a massive issue, keep an eye on the top-ranked cornerbacks coming out of the collegiate ranks.
- Track the OC Search: The new offensive coordinator will define Jared Goff's next two years. If they go with a heavy run-game specialist, expect Gibbs and Montgomery to see even more volume.
- Monitor the All-Pros: Four Lions were named to the 2025 All-Pro team. Seeing who gets those nods—likely St. Brown and Penei Sewell—is a good reminder that the core of this team is still elite.
- Check the Salary Cap: Detroit has some decisions to make on guys like Roy Lopez and other depth pieces. Brad Holmes has been a wizard with the cap, but as the big stars get paid, the "glue guys" become harder to keep.
The current score of Detroit Lions game is 0-0 for the 2026 season. It’s a clean slate. Kinda sucks to be watching the playoffs from the couch, but this team isn't far off. One good draft and a healthy LaPorta might be all it takes to flip those 9-8 heartbreaks into 12-5 celebrations.
For now, we wait for the draft in April.