If you just looked at the final score of the Week 18 win over the Chicago Bears, you’d probably think the Detroit Lions finished the 2025 season on a high note. A 19-16 victory, a game-winning kick by Jake Bates, and a locker room celebration. It feels good. But honestly, the detroit lions game statistics tell a much weirder, more frustrating story than that 9-8 record suggests.
We’re sitting here in January 2026, and for the first time in three years, there’s no playoff football in Detroit. It’s a bitter pill. Especially when you realize this team actually outgained their opponents by nearly 700 total yards over the course of the season. They finished 4th in the league in scoring, averaging 28.3 points per game. So how does a top-five offense end up watching the Wild Card round from the couch?
Basically, the Lions became the kings of "empty calories." They moved the ball at will but developed a tragic habit of tripping over their own feet the moment they crossed the 50-yard line.
The Jared Goff Paradox and Those Red Zone Struggles
Jared Goff put up numbers that look elite on a spreadsheet. He threw for 4,564 yards and 34 touchdowns. That yardage total was good enough for second in the entire NFL, trailing only Matthew Stafford. You’ve got to appreciate the irony there.
But if you dig into the advanced detroit lions game statistics, the efficiency wasn't the same. His EPA (Expected Points Added) per play took a dive from 0.28 in 2024 down to 0.18 this year.
The biggest culprit? Third downs.
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In 2024, the Lions were converting nearly 48% of their third downs. This year, that number plummeted to 38.6%. It felt like every drive followed the same script: a 12-yard strike to Amon-Ra St. Brown, a 6-yard run by Jahmyr Gibbs, and then a confusing incompletion or a sack that forced a punt.
Speaking of St. Brown, the man is a machine. He hauled in 117 catches for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s the only reason the passing game didn’t completely crater when Sam LaPorta went down with that mid-season injury. When LaPorta was on the field, Goff’s passer rating was nearly 10 points higher. Without him, the middle of the field became a dead zone.
Breaking Down the Ground Game
Jahmyr Gibbs officially took over the backfield this year. He put up 1,223 rushing yards and added another 616 through the air. That’s over 1,800 all-purpose yards.
David Montgomery was still the goal-line hammer, vulture-ing 8 touchdowns, but the explosive plays were all Gibbs. However, there’s a stat that most fans missed: the Lions ranked 26th in the league in rushes of 10 yards or more.
For a team that prides itself on a "bruising" identity, they were strangely inefficient at breaking the big one. The offensive line, plagued by injuries to Taylor Decker and the struggle of the rotating guards, just didn't create the same lanes we saw during the 2024 run. Penei Sewell earned his All-Pro nod, obviously, but he can't block all five guys at once.
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Why the Defense Couldn't Hold the Lead
It’s easy to blame the offense for stalling, but the defense was a sieve for most of the winter. They finished 22nd in points allowed.
Aidan Hutchinson did everything humanly possible. He finished with 14.5 sacks, tying Ezekiel Ansah for the second-most in a single season in franchise history. He was a monster. But behind him? It was rough.
The secondary got decimated. When Kerby Joseph started dealing with that recurring knee issue and Brian Branch went down, the deep ball became a nightmare. The Lions gave up 1,377 passing yards and 10 touchdowns in just a four-game stretch in December. You can't win in this league when you're giving up 300+ yards through the air every Sunday.
Jack Campbell was the lone bright spot in the middle. 166 tackles. He was everywhere. He earned a First-Team All-Pro selection because he was basically cleaning up everyone else's messes.
- Total First Downs: Lions 346, Opponents 330
- Fourth Down Conversions: 18 for 31 (Dan Campbell is still a gambler)
- Turnover Ratio: +4 (Actually improved from last year)
- Average Yards Per Play: 5.8 (Ranked in the top 10)
Looking at those numbers, it’s almost impressive they managed to lose 8 games. Five of those losses were by a single possession. They lost those five games by a combined 29 points. That’s the difference between a division title and fourth place in the NFC North.
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What Needs to Change for 2026
The window isn't closed, but it's definitely creaking. The 2026 schedule is already set, and finishing last in the division means the Lions get a "fourth-place" schedule. That includes games against the Giants, Cardinals, and Titans.
The front office has a massive to-do list. Brad Holmes has been a wizard in the draft, but the lack of defensive depth was exposed this year. They need a legitimate edge rusher to play opposite Hutchinson so teams can’t just triple-team him every snap.
Also, the offensive line needs a reboot. With Taylor Decker considering retirement, that left tackle spot becomes a glaring hole.
Honestly, the most important detroit lions game statistics to watch next year won't be Goff’s passing yards. It’ll be the Red Zone touchdown percentage. If they can stop settling for Jake Bates field goals and start finishing drives, they’ll be back in the hunt.
Next Steps for Lions Fans:
Keep an eye on the salary cap movements in March. Reworking Goff's deal is almost a certainty to free up space for a veteran corner. Also, watch the injury reports on Brian Branch’s Achilles recovery; his presence is the "glue" that holds the nickel defense together. If he isn't 100% by training camp, the secondary will remain a liability.