If you're refreshing your feed looking for the score of the lions game today, I’ve got some news that might be a bit of a letdown if you were hoping for a Wednesday night kickoff.
There is no Detroit Lions game today, January 14, 2026.
NFL football doesn't usually happen on Wednesdays, unless we're talking about a weird weather delay or a holiday outlier. But there’s a much bigger reason the Lions aren’t suiting up this week. Honestly, it’s a tough pill for fans to swallow after the high expectations of the last few years. The Lions finished their 2025-2026 regular season with a 9-8 record. While they managed to secure a winning season for the fourth year in a row—something that would have felt like a miracle a decade ago—it wasn't enough to punch a ticket to the postseason.
The NFC North was a meat grinder this year. The Chicago Bears took the crown at 11-6, and the Green Bay Packers managed to sneak into a Wild Card spot at 9-7-1. Because of how the tiebreakers shook out, Detroit is currently on the outside looking in.
What Really Happened With the Lions Score Last Week?
The last time we saw Dan Campbell’s squad on the field was Sunday, January 4, 2026. It was a classic Detroit nail-biter. They traveled to Soldier Field to face the Bears, and man, it was a rollercoaster.
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Basically, the Lions jumped out to a 16-0 lead. Jared Goff looked sharp early, and the defense was actually holding firm. But in true NFC North fashion, Caleb Williams and the Bears clawed back in the fourth quarter to tie it up at 16-16.
Then came Jake Bates.
The "Michigan Panther" legend turned NFL reliable leg nailed a 42-yard field goal as time expired. Final score: Lions 19, Bears 16. It was a sweet way to end the season, especially knocking off the division champs on their own turf, but it felt a little like too little, too late.
Why Today Feels Different
Even though there's no game tonight, the "Lions" name is still popping up in sports bars. That’s because the Penn State Nittany Lions are playing tonight. They’re hosting the UCLA Bruins at the Bryce Jordan Center at 8:30 p.m. ET. If you’re a multi-sport fan in Michigan, you might be hearing "Lions score" in a basketball context.
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The Reality of the 2026 NFL Playoff Picture
Since the NFL Wild Card round just wrapped up on January 12, the league is currently in a brief mid-week lull before the Divisional Round starts on January 17.
Detroit is currently in "evaluation mode." It’s a weird spot to be in. For a while there, we got used to playoff football in the Motor City. Now, the front office is looking at a 2026 opponent list that looks absolutely brutal. Next year, they have to face the AFC East and the NFC South.
Here is the quick breakdown of what the "offseason" Lions are looking at while everyone else plays for a ring:
- Draft Position: With a 9-8 record, they’ll be picking in the middle of the pack.
- Key Free Agents: Several defensive pieces are up for renewal.
- Coaching Continuity: Dan Campbell remains the heart of the team, but the search for more consistency on defense is the main talking point on Detroit sports radio right now.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Season
A lot of people think the Lions "failed" because they missed the playoffs. I don't know if I buy that.
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Consistency in the NFL is hard. Really hard. Winning 9 games in a year where you had a three-game skid in December shows some grit. They beat the Bears twice. They handled the Cowboys in a 44-30 shootout. The foundation is there, but the margin for error in the NFC is just razor-thin lately.
The "Lions game today" isn't on a field; it's in the film room.
Actionable Steps for Lions Fans Today
- Check the Penn State score if you’re actually looking for the Nittany Lions (8:30 p.m. ET on FS1).
- Scope out the 2026 Opponents: The Lions are confirmed to play the Bills, Dolphins, and Falcons on the road next year. Start planning those away-game trips now.
- Watch the Divisional Round: Since the Lions beat the Bears recently, watching the Bears vs. Rams game this Sunday (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC) will give you a good gauge of how close Detroit actually is to the top tier.
- Follow the Senior Bowl: It's coming up on January 31. This is where the Lions’ scouting department will be doing their real work for the 2026 season.
Keep the Honolulu Blue in the closet for a few months. The road to the 2027 Super Bowl starts with a lot of boring meetings this week.