You're probably staring at your screen right now, refreshing the sports apps and wondering why you can't find a Detroit Lions football score for today.
It’s Tuesday, January 13, 2026. If this were last year, maybe we’d be talking about a Wild Card hangover or a massive Divisional Round hype train. But today? The scoreboard is blank. There is no game.
The harsh reality for Detroit fans is that the 2025-2026 season officially wrapped up on January 4th. While the rest of the NFC North is buzzing—honestly, it's painful to see Chicago and Green Bay still in the mix—the Lions are already deep into "next year" mode.
What Really Happened with the Final Score?
The last time we saw Dan Campbell’s squad on the field was that Week 18 nail-biter against the Chicago Bears. If you’re looking for the most recent Detroit Lions football score for today’s context, you have to look back to that 19-16 victory at Soldier Field.
It was a weird game. Jake Bates was basically the MVP, hitting a 42-yarder as time expired to secure the win. Jared Goff put up decent numbers—27 for 42 for 331 yards—but the offense just felt stuck in the red zone.
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Winning that game felt good in the moment, but it was bittersweet. The Lions finished 9-8. In a lot of years, that gets you a seat at the table. Not this time. They ended up 4th in the NFC North, losing tiebreakers to a 9-8 Vikings team and watching the 9-7-1 Packers sneak into the dance.
The Playoff Picture Without Detroit
It's Tuesday, which means we just finished watching the Houston Texans dismantle the Steelers 30-6 on Monday Night Football. That was the final piece of the Wild Card puzzle.
Since the Lions didn't make the cut, here is who is actually playing while Detroit watches from the couch:
- Chicago Bears: They beat the Packers 31-27 in a thriller and are headed to the Divisional Round.
- San Francisco 49ers: They took down Philly and will face Seattle next.
- Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford (still doing it!) led a comeback against Carolina.
It’s kinda gut-wrenching to see three teams from the NFC North in the postseason hunt while the Lions are out. Minnesota didn't make it either, but they finished ahead of Detroit in the standings based on divisional record.
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Why 9-8 Felt Like a Failure
General Manager Brad Holmes didn't mince words in his end-of-season presser a few days ago. He called the season a "failure." That’s a heavy word for a winning record, but the expectations in Detroit have shifted.
Basically, the "Sonic and Knuckles" duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery didn't get the same traction we expected. Gibbs had a stellar year—1,223 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns—but Montgomery’s usage dropped off a cliff toward the end.
There’s a lot of talk today about whether the Lions will trade Montgomery this offseason. Honestly, it feels like a mistake to let a guy like that go, but with a new Offensive Coordinator search underway, everything is on the table.
Moving Toward the 2026 Season
Since there isn't a Detroit Lions football score for today, the focus has shifted to the calendar. If you're a die-hard, these are the dates you actually need to care about right now:
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- January 27: The East-West Shrine Bowl. This is where the scouting department starts looking for those late-round gems Holmes loves.
- February 23: The NFL Scouting Combine begins in Indy.
- March 11: The 2026 League Year starts. This is when the real fireworks happen with free agency and potential trades.
The 2026 opponents are already set, too. Because the Lions finished fourth in the division, they’ll be facing a "fourth-place schedule" next year. That means matchups against the New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, and Tennessee Titans.
Actionable Next Steps for Lions Fans
While the lack of a game today is a bummer, there are things you can do to stay ahead of the curve.
- Audit the Roster: Take a look at the impending free agents. Guys like DJ Reed had solid seasons but were hampered by injuries; will the front office bring them back?
- Watch the Divisional Round: Keep an eye on the Bears vs. Rams game on January 18th. Seeing how Chicago's defense handles a veteran like Stafford will tell you a lot about what Detroit needs to do to jump back to the top of the NFC North.
- Track the OC Search: Reports are surfacing that the Lions might be interested in Mike McDaniel if he becomes available, or even looking at internal candidates to fix the red zone woes.
The quest for the 2026-2027 season starts now. It’s not about a score on a Tuesday in January anymore—it’s about making sure that this time next year, we’re actually talking about a playoff kickoff time.