So, you’re looking to find out who won Detroit Lions game today, but if you’ve been checking the scoreboard this Sunday, January 18, 2026, you might have noticed a glaring omission. The Lions aren't on the field.
It’s a bit of a bittersweet reality for the Honolulu Blue faithful. While the NFL Divisional Round is currently in full swing—with the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams battling it out in a snowy Soldier Field tonight—the Detroit Lions are officially in "next year" mode.
Their season ended exactly two weeks ago on January 4, 2026.
The Last Game: How the Season Wrapped Up
If we're talking about the most recent result, the Lions actually went out on a high note, even if it didn't lead to a playoff berth. They played the Chicago Bears in Week 18 and pulled off a gritty 19-16 victory.
It was a classic Dan Campbell-style win. Jake Bates, who has been absolutely money all season, drilled a 42-yard field goal as time expired to seal the deal.
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That game was a rollercoaster. Detroit actually held a 16-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter before the Bears, led by Caleb Williams, stormed back to tie it up. But Jared Goff showed that veteran composure, marching the team 39 yards in the final minute-and-a-half to set up Bates for the game-winner.
The win gave the Lions a final record of 9-8.
In most years, nine wins might get you a wild card spot. Not in 2025-26. The NFC was a total gauntlet this year. The Lions finished fourth in the NFC North, which is wild considering they had a winning record. But when you’re in a division where the Bears win 11 games and the Packers and Vikings both hit 9 wins (with tiebreakers not going Detroit's way), somebody has to be the odd man out.
Why the Lions Aren't Playing Today
To understand why you can't find who won Detroit Lions game today, you have to look at the playoff structure. Because the Lions finished as the 9th seed in the NFC, they missed the seven-team playoff cutoff.
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It’s frustrating. Honestly, it’s beyond frustrating for a fan base that tasted a division title just a year ago.
This Sunday belongs to the teams that survived the Wild Card round. Yesterday, the Washington Commanders took care of business, and the New England Patriots just finished beating the Texans 28-16 to move on to the AFC Championship. Tonight, the focus is entirely on Chicago.
Key Stats from the Lions' Final Game (Jan 4, 2026)
- Jared Goff: 27/42, 331 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: 11 catches for 139 yards (The Sun God was dominant as usual).
- Jahmyr Gibbs: 80 rushing yards and a 15-yard receiving TD.
- Jake Bates: 4-for-5 on field goals, including the 42-yard winner.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Season
A lot of national pundits are calling this a "step back" for Detroit. I don't know if I buy that entirely.
Sure, they missed the playoffs. But they finished with a winning record (9-8) and went 2-4 in the toughest division in football. They swept the Bears—the same Bears team that is currently a top seed in the playoffs. They also had some brutal luck with injuries in the secondary early in the year.
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The real issue was a mid-season slump where they lost three straight games in December to the Rams, Steelers, and Vikings. That three-week stretch basically cooked their post-season hopes. If they win just one of those, we might be watching them play today.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Schedule
Since the Lions finished fourth in the NFC North, their 2026 opponents are already mostly locked in. Because of the way the NFL rotation works, a fourth-place finish actually gives them a "last place" schedule next year.
That means instead of playing the heavy hitters from other divisions, they’ll face the fourth-place finishers from the AFC South, NFC East, and NFC West.
- Arizona Cardinals (NFC West 4th place)
- New York Giants (NFC East 4th place)
- Tennessee Titans (AFC South 4th place)
This could be the "easy" path Detroit needs to jump back into the 11 or 12-win territory next season.
Actionable Next Steps for Lions Fans
Since there is no game to watch today, the focus shifts to the offseason. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here is what you should be watching over the next month:
- Watch the Senior Bowl (Feb 1): The Lions' front office loves building through the draft. This is where Brad Holmes usually finds those mid-round gems like he did with Tajae Davis or some of the recent defensive depth.
- Monitor the Defensive Coordinator Search: There are rumblings that Aaron Glenn might finally get a head coaching gig this cycle. If he leaves, who Detroit brings in to run that defense will be the biggest story of February.
- Check the Salary Cap: The Lions are in a decent spot, but with big contracts looming, they have some tough decisions on veteran depth players before free agency opens in March.
The quest for who won Detroit Lions game today ends with a "no one," but the 2026 season is already starting to take shape in the front office.