If you're scouring the internet looking for the kickoff time for the next Lions game 2025, there’s some news you probably aren't going to like. The Detroit Lions’ season is officially in the books.
They won't be playing another snap until the 2026 preseason begins in August.
It's a tough pill to swallow for a fan base that’s spent the last few years tasting playoff glory. This time around, the motor city is idling while the rest of the NFC North keeps the engines running. The Lions finished their 2025 campaign with a 9-8 record. While that sounds respectable on paper—marking their fourth straight winning season—it wasn't enough to secure a seat at the table.
The Week 18 Finale and the Playoff Miss
The last time we saw Dan Campbell on the sidelines was January 4, 2026. The Lions went into Soldier Field and actually pulled off a gritty 19-16 win against the Chicago Bears. Usually, beating a division rival to end the year feels great. Not this time. Despite that victory, Detroit was already mathematically eliminated from the postseason before the coin toss even happened.
Why? Blame the Minnesota Vikings.
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The Vikings absolutely had Detroit’s number this year. They swept the season series, and their victory over the Packers earlier that same Sunday officially locked the Lions into fourth place in the NFC North. It’s a bizarre stat to look at: a 9-8 team finishing dead last in their own division. That tells you everything you need to know about how brutal the North was in 2025.
Honestly, the "sting" Amon-Ra St. Brown mentioned in his post-game availability is going to linger. He's already talking about using this missed opportunity as fuel for the 2026 off-season. When your star receiver is this vocal about a "failed" winning season, you know the culture in that locker room has shifted.
Breaking Down the 2025 Roadblocks
What actually went wrong? It wasn't just one thing. It was a slow leak that eventually became a flood.
- The Division Sweep: You simply cannot go 0-2 against the Vikings and 1-1 against everyone else in the North if you want to host a playoff game.
- The Christmas Day Letdown: Losing 23-10 to Minnesota on December 25 was basically the nail in the coffin.
- Mid-Season Slumps: A three-game skid late in the year took a promising 8-5 record and turned it into a desperate scramble.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule is Already Set
Even though there isn't a next Lions game 2025 to watch, we already know exactly who they will face in 2026. Because they finished fourth in the division, their schedule for next year looks a little different than the gauntlet they ran this season.
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They’ll be playing the "fourth-place schedule," which theoretically gives them a lighter load. They are matched up against the last-place finishers from the NFC East, NFC West, and AFC South.
Home Games at Ford Field
The 2026 home slate has some heavy hitters. You’ve got the usual suspects—Chicago, Green Bay, and Minnesota—but some interesting AFC talent is coming to town too.
- New England Patriots: A huge matchup against a team that looked revitalized in 2025.
- New York Jets: Always a wild card.
- Tennessee Titans: One of the "fourth-place" matchups earned by this year's finish.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A rematch of a 2025 victory.
- New York Giants: Another strength-of-schedule opponent.
- New Orleans Saints: Expect a high-scoring affair here.
Road Trips on the Calendar
If you're a fan who likes to travel, the 2026 road schedule is pretty enticing.
The Lions will head to Arizona to face the Cardinals and take a trip down to Miami to see the Dolphins. They also have games scheduled in Atlanta, Buffalo, and Carolina. And, of course, the annual business trips to Lambeau, Soldier Field, and U.S. Bank Stadium remain.
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Key Offseason Priorities
Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have their work cut out for them. Penei Sewell has already been vocal about the offensive line needing to "regain their swagger." While the unit was good, it wasn't the dominant force we saw in 2024.
The defense will likely be the focus of the draft and free agency. Jack Campbell and Aidan Hutchinson are cornerstones, but the secondary struggled in high-leverage moments against the Rams and Steelers late in the year.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Stop checking for playoff tickets: The Lions are out. Focus on the NFL Draft in April.
- Watch the 2026 Opponents: Keep an eye on how the Bills and Patriots finish their playoff runs, as they are on the 2026 schedule.
- Roster Updates: Follow the injury rehab of key starters; the "swagger" Sewell mentioned starts with health in the trenches.
The 2025 season might be over, but for a team that just secured its fourth straight winning record, the window is far from closed. It’s just going to be a long wait until that first whistle in August.