Detroit Lions Playoff Chances: Tracking the Lions Playoffs Picture

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Fact Checked by Brandon Justice

 The Detroit Lions returned to the playoffs in the 2024-25 season after winning the NFC North with a 15-2 record. But they failed to make the playoffs in the 2025-26 season? Can the Lions bounce back in 2026?

The Detroit Lions kicked off the season in Green Bay against the Packers on September 7 and lost 27-13. Keep up with this page during the season, and use our odds widgets along with our expert analysis to get real-time updates on the Lions' playoff chances below. 👇

What Are the Lions Playoff Chances?

The Lions' chances of making the NFL Playoffs in 2025 are off the board at DraftKings sportsbook. Here are other Lions' odds for the season from DraftKings:

Lions Make PlayoffsOTB
Lions Miss PlayoffsOTB
🏆 Lions Win Super BowlOTB
👑 Lions Win NFCOTB
🔥 Lions Win NFC NorthOTB
Data Verified by ExpertJanuary 7, 2026

Betting odds indicate how likely or unlikely an outcome is to happen. We can use those odds to calculate the implied probability of the outcome in question and, in this case, better understand the Lions' playoff picture and postseason odds.

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How The Lions Can Make Playoffs

The Lions are no longer in playoff contention, as they have been officially eliminated. 

Lions Playoff Chances: Key Updates January 2026

A team's playoff odds fluctuate throughout the year with free agency, draft additions, and injury news. During the season, this section will update you on the most important Lions updates.

  • 📆 December 25: The Lions are officially eliminated from playoff contention after a loss to the Vikings. 
  • 📆 November 21: The Lions state that Sam LaPorta could be out for the regular season after surgery. 
  • 📆 June 4: The Lions sign OL Trystan Colon. 
  • 📆 June 2: Frank Ragnow retires after seven seasons.
  • 📆 May 12: The Lions sign WR Malik Taylor and DL Raequan Williams.
  • 📆 April 24: Detroit selects Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams in the first round of the 2025 draft.
  • 📆 April 22: The Lions re-sign OL Michael Niese.
  • 📆 March 28: Detroit signs OL Kayode Awosika to a contract extension.
  • 📆 March 21: The Lions sign CB Avonte Maddox and DE Al-Quadin Muhammad.
  • 📆 March 20: Detroit signs CBs Khalil Dorsey and Rock Ya-Sin.
  • 📆 March 18: The Lions sign TE Shane Zylstra, DL Pat O'Connor, and CB Craig Reynolds.
  • 📆 March 17: LB Mitchell Agude and OT Dan Skipper sign with the Lions.
  • 📆 March 14: The Lions re-sign WR Tim Patrick and sign TE Kenny Yeboah.
  • 📆 March 13: QB Kyle Allen signs a one-year contract.
  • 📆 March 12: Detroit re-signs DT Levi Onwuzurik and signs DT Roy Lopez, CB D.J. Reed, and LB Grant Stuard.
  • 📆 March 8: The Lions sign DL Marcus Davenport and re-sign LB Anthony Pittman and LB Zeke Turner. 
  • 📆 March 7: LB Derrick Barnes signs a three-year contract extension.
  • 📆 February 18: Detroit hires John Morton as offensive coordinator.

We'll continue to update you on the latest Detroit Lions news and transactions throughout the season, so bookmark this article and check back often.

Key Contributors Toward Lions Playoff Chances

The Lions had one of the deepest rosters in the league, good enough to land them at No. 4 in the NFL's Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings

Here's a breakdown of who the top producers were in the 2024-25 season and who we expect to excel even more in the upcoming season. 👇

Offense

Offensively, Detroit's quarterback, Jared Goff, ranked second in passing yards with 4,629 yards and second in completion percentage at 71.4% in the 2024-25 season. 

Goff wasn't the only one putting up stats. All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is coming off a 1,000-yard season and 115 receptions. As for last year's rookies, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta finished in the top four in the voting for 2024's Offensive Rookie of the Year.  

Detroit lost guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency, but re-signed veteran interior offensive lineman Kayode Awosika. The Lions also added OLs Tate Ratledge and Miles Frazier in the draft. 

Defense

Defensively, the Lions are looking forward to elite DE Aidan Hutchinson returning after a Week 13 injury took him out of the 2024-25 season. Hutchinson has the shortest odds to win DPOY at DraftKings and the second-shortest odds at FanDuel to win CPOY.

The Lions lost cornerbacks Kindle Vildor and Carlton Davis II but re-signed Khalil Dorsey and gained D.J. Reed, Avonte Maddox, and Rock Ya-Sin. Detroit used the draft to add depth to its defense, drafting DT Tyleik Williams, DE Ahmed Hassanein, and S Dan Jackson. 

Head coach Dan Campbell has said it before: It's Super Bowl or bust for Detroit.

Where Can I Bet on the Lions to Make the Playoffs?

Use Michigan Sportsbooks to place bets on the Lions to make the playoffs as well as find playoff odds for every team in the NFL.

You can also bet on the Lions to win the Super Bowl on most major sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and Caesars, as long as you are 21+ and within state lines of a state that offers legal sports betting.

Before placing your Lions wager, it's definitely worthwhile to check out the latest Michigan betting promos available to make sure you're getting the most out of your bet.

PS: Make sure to try out the new Fanatics Sportsbook in Michigan!

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Dan Campbell excited about Lions playoff chances in 2024

Looking Ahead: Lions Playoff Picture

The Lions finished the 2024-25 season with the best record in the NFC and tied with the Chiefs for the best record in the NFL at 15-2. With one of the best offenses in the league, the expectations for the Detroit Lions were high. Unfortunately, the Lions failed to live up to the expectations, and will be missing the playoffs in 2025. 

Do the Lions Have a Chance to Make the Playoffs?

No, the Lions do not have a chance to make the playoffs. That is because the Lions have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. 

Are the Lions Out of Playoffs?

Yes, the Detroit Lions are out of the playoffs. The 2025-26 season has been good, but they will not be in the playoffs. 

Where Do the Detroit Lions Rank in the NFC North?

The Lions won the NFC North with a 15-2 record in 2024. They attempted to repeat as champions, but faltered down the stretch and will not make the playoffs in 2025. 

Stay tuned throughout the season to keep up with the divisional rankings.

Where Do the Detroit Lions Rank in the NFC Standings?

The Lions were in contention for most of the season, but faltered down the stretch. They will likely finish third in the NFC North and below the playoff mark. 

Can the Detroit Lions Get the No. 1 Seed?

No, the 1-seed is no longer in play for the Lions after losing to the Rams. 

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Detroit Lions Postseason Outlook and Predictions

Hopes were high in Detroit after the Lions finished the 2024 season with a 15-2 record, but things did not end so well. The Lions Super Bowl odds are off the board.

Detroit Lions Playoffs FAQs

Author

Robert Hayek

Robert B. Hayek has been writing about sports for over a decade and is currently a member of the Gambling.com Group team. In his spare time, he runs the largest sports meetup group in Orange County, CA, actively participating in every sport imaginable. He is also a published author of five thriller novels, all available on Amazon.

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