9 Detroit Lions thoughts after watching the first two rounds of the 2025-26 NFL playoffs
Here are nine takeaways pertaining to the Detroit Lions after watching the first two rounds of the NFL playoffs.
Familiar and relatable agony
Is it better to have been to the Super Bowl and lost than to have never been to the Super Bowl at all?
Lions fans feel a cross-conference, suffering-fueled kinship with Buffalo. Without question, the Bills have been more successful, both historically and recently, but a similar, Lombardi-shaped hole in the franchise’s trophy case persists.
Even when the stars have seemingly aligned for this to be their year, the Bills are hit with a fresh, unimaginable shot to the heart.
There was Scott Norwood missing wide right on the final play of Super Bowl XXV.
In 2022, the Bills allowed the Chiefs into field goal range after taking the lead with 13 seconds remaining in the AFC Championship, then lost the game in overtime after losing the coin toss. That led to a rule change that ensured each team gets at least one possession.
A rule change after an unfortunate loss? Feel familiar?
In 2024, it was another wide right miss, this time off the foot of Tyler Bass, which cost the team a playoff game against the Chiefs.
Then, this weekend, turnovers and officiating decisions doomed the Bills. Superstar quarterback Josh Allen fumbled twice, once at the end of the half, giving the Broncos three free points. He also tossed two interceptions, the second coming in overtime and the source of the postseason's most prominent controversy as defender Ja'Quan McMillian ripped the ball from receiver Brandin Cooks as he went to the ground.