17 Comments
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Crixcyon's avatar

The Lions kind of almost played like a team that was heading to the playoffs. Whatever soul saving they accomplished will not be carried forward into the 2026 season. Teams like KC, the Redskins, Minny, Cincy, The Bucs, the Ravens and Lions were pretty much expected to be entertaining substantiated dreams of the playoffs at the start of the season and all failed to make it.

So much for momentum from 2024. The Lions might lose 1/3 of their players and there is the major question about the OC and DC remaining with the team. The Lions reverted back to the olden days of lore where "almost" is the best they could do. There are now a lotta questions marks about this team and some of its talent. And once again HEALTH is the main issue.

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Brian's avatar

Good win with nothing to play for, credit to the guys--but let's be real, the Bears were awful for 3 quarters

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Brent Sabatini's avatar

Tough division with no team having a losing record. Lions had many chances throughout the season. No real NFC favorites in the playoffs this year, everyone seems to have a chance except the Panthers. What could have been. Will be interesting to hear the final locker room talk.

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Joel Doepker's avatar

Nice counting crows reference.

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Jason's avatar

Lions pick 17 unless Ravens win and then pick 16. Last meaningful game for the Lions is on now.

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Gary Clinton's avatar

Yeah. Regardless the team is in serious trouble. With Deckers probable retirement, the lions go into next season with one all-pro on the line a major fall from the glory days when they had 2 all-pros and four pro-bowlers. A line possibly made of Sewell, Ratledge, Mahogany, Frazier and Manu or a Rookie means disaster in the making. Even if they sign a free agent it would only be marginally better but still worse than this year.

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Christopher Knight's avatar

Hey Justin,

At the very beginning of the year, Brad said that he had something lined up but that it fell through. He cryptically said, "that's why you have to play things close to the vest."

You can find it on the Lions YouTube channel during the season preview.

Can you investigate that? Maybe ask him what he had lined up during his End of Season Presser? I'm dying to know.

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Andrew's avatar

Okay, great Counting Crows reference! Too fitting

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Robert Honeyman's avatar

I remember way back when on MLive, when a reader waited three or four games before asking who the Lions were going to pick in the draft. I can't remember if the writer was Justin or Killer, but it was hilarious.

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John Rumery's avatar

Great insight and analysis all year. Frustrating season but at least the other Detroit teams are competitive and fun to follow.

Lions will be back in 26.

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Al Wildey's avatar

Thank you Mr. Rogers!

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Jd L's avatar

It’s all a lot of oysters but no pearls - good thing I love oysters

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Thomas Keating's avatar

Seen what he did there.

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Uzi Rivera's avatar

Thank you for your coverage this season Justin! I appreciate you!

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Justin Rogers's avatar

We're just getting started. Or starting all over again. One of those.

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Thomas Keating's avatar

Yes. See you in September. And everything after.

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Zach Meyers's avatar

Too many Lions got way too familiar with the smell of hospitals in winter this year

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