The thing about a game like the Detroit Lions vs Indianapolis Colts is that it usually doesn’t get the primetime hype of a divisional bloodbath. It’s not the Lions and the Packers. It’s not the Colts and the Patriots. But if you actually sit down and look at the history, these two teams have been trading punches for over 70 years in a way that is weirdly, almost eerily, balanced.
Honestly, it’s one of those matchups where the record books look like a seesaw. Going into the most recent stretches, the all-time series was separated by literally one or two games. Detroit might have a decade where they look like the "Same Old Lions," and then suddenly they’re the ones bullying the AFC South.
The Lions are currently coming off a 2025 season that honestly left a lot of fans in Detroit scratching their heads. After a massive 2024 run where they went 15-2 and dominated the North, 2025 was a bit of a reality check. They finished fourth in the division. It’s wild how fast things change in the NFL. One year you’re the king of the world, and the next you’re looking at a schedule that includes the Giants and the Titans because of your "fourth-place" finish.
What Really Happened When They Last Met
If you want to understand the Detroit Lions vs Indianapolis Colts dynamic right now, you have to look back at November 24, 2024. That game at Lucas Oil Stadium was basically a masterclass in "how to win ugly" for Detroit. The Lions won 24-6.
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It wasn't a Jared Goff air-raid show. It was a ground war. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery did something that day that most duos never touch. They both hit ten-plus rushing touchdowns in consecutive seasons. That’s a stat that puts them in the company of guys like Barry Sanders and Billy Sims.
The Colts, on the other hand, just couldn't stay out of their own way. Shane Steichen, the Colts' head coach, was visibly fuming after the game because of the flags. Ten penalties. That’s what killed them. Anthony Richardson actually had some decent moments that didn't show up in the box score—he had four separate passes totaling nearly 80 yards that were all erased by holding or illegal formation calls.
A Quick Reality Check on the Stats
- Final Score (Nov 2024): Lions 24, Colts 6.
- The Run Game: Gibbs had 90 yards and 2 TDs; Montgomery added another score.
- The Colts' Struggle: Anthony Richardson went 11-of-28. Not great.
- Turnover Battle: 0 for the Lions, 0 for the Colts. But Indy turned it over on downs late to seal their fate.
The 2025 Shift and the Daniel Jones Era in Indy
Fast forward to 2025. The Colts made a move that raised a lot of eyebrows, bringing in Daniel Jones. And for a while, it actually worked. Jones had the Colts at a 7-1 start before his Achilles gave out in Week 14. It’s a classic "what if" scenario for Indy. By the end of 2025, Jonathan Taylor was still a monster, racking up over 1,500 yards and earning another Pro Bowl nod.
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Detroit's 2025 was the opposite. A "surprising collapse," as some local reporters called it. They went from being the most feared offense in the league to a team searching for a new offensive coordinator by January 2026. Mike Kafka’s name has been floating around the Detroit facility lately.
The All-Time Series: It’s Closer Than You Think
When people talk about Detroit Lions vs Indianapolis Colts, they forget that this series dates back to 1953 when the Colts were still in Baltimore.
The record is basically a toss-up. As of their 2025 meeting (which Detroit also took 38-30), the Colts held a tiny 29-28 lead in the overall series, with two ties back in the 60s. It’s a rivalry defined by regular-season swings rather than playoff drama. They’ve actually never faced each other in the postseason. Ever.
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Why the 2026 Season Changes the Narrative
Because Detroit finished fourth in the NFC North in 2025, their 2026 schedule is officially set. They won’t play the Colts in the 2026 regular season unless something weird happens with the scheduling formula for the 17th game. Instead, Detroit is looking at matchups against the Titans, the New England Patriots, and the New York Jets.
The Colts are entering 2026 with a lot of questions at quarterback again, given the Daniel Jones injury. But they’ve got young talent like Tyler Warren, the rookie tight end who just broke franchise records for receiving yards at his position.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're betting on or analyzing a future Detroit Lions vs Indianapolis Colts matchup, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Red Zone Efficiency: In their last major clash, the Colts moved the ball well but settled for field goals. Detroit scores touchdowns. That’s usually the difference.
- The Gibbs-Montgomery Factor: As long as these two are in the same backfield, Detroit’s identity is "Physicality First." If a defense can’t stop the duo, Jared Goff doesn’t even have to be "great" for them to win.
- Penalty Management: Indy has a history of mental mistakes against Detroit. Keep an eye on the officiating trends for Shane Steichen’s squad.
- Quarterback Health: With Daniel Jones coming off a major injury and the Lions looking for a new OC, the 2026 versions of these teams will look fundamentally different from the 2024 rosters.
The next time these two meet, don't look at the logos. Look at the trenches. That's where Detroit has found its edge lately, and that's where the Colts have to find an answer if they want to keep their slim lead in the all-time series.