Cris Carter
Detroit Lions 2025 season: A 7–4 start turned into a late-season collapse, ending playoff hopes.
The 2025 season was the Detroit Lions' 96th in the National Football League (NFL) and their fifth under the head coach/general manager tandem of Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes.
- position
- Wide Receiver
- pro_bowl_selections
- 8
Lore & Background
The Lions failed to match their franchise-best 15–2 record from the previous season following a Week 9 loss at home to their division rival Minnesota Vikings. Despite entering the year as Super Bowl favorites by media experts and opening the season on a strong 7–4 start and one game behind the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears, the Lions suffered a late-season collapse and won just two out of their final six games. They were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2022 following a Week 17 loss on Christmas Day to the Vikings; a game where they committed a season-high six turnovers after coming into the game with 8 total turnovers all season long. Frequent offensive line and secondary issues plagued the team’s year due to numerous season-ending injuries, retirements, and departures. They would also lose numerous close games this year, with 5 of their 8 losses being by just a touchdown or less, with 3 of their losses by a combined 15 points.
In Their Own Story
The wind howled across the frozen turf of Tiger Stadium in late November. The Lions defense tightened around the pocket, eyes locked on the number 80 jersey sprinting downfield. Carter caught the ball at the peak of his leap, absorbing contact from a Lion defender mid-air before landing softly inside the ten-yard line. It was another Sunday where Detroit's secondary learned that stopping him required perfection.
Reader's Guide
The source article does not provide a guide section.
Did You Know?
- The Lions traded wide receiver Tim Patrick to the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 27 in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
- The Lions played the Los Angeles Chargers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on July 31 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
- In Week 1, the Lions lost 27–13 to the Green Bay Packers, their first road loss since the 2023 NFC Championship Game.
- In Week 2, the Lions defeated the Chicago Bears 52–21, marking Bears head coach Ben Johnson's first return to Detroit since leaving as offensive coordinator.
- In Week 3, the Lions beat the Baltimore Ravens 38–30, their first win in Baltimore since 1977.