While the good news for the Detroit Lions is that they won both games in the 2025 NFL season against former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and the rival Chicago Bears, the bad news is that their campaign is now officially over.
The Lions are now officially in the offseason after their 16-13 victory over Johnson and the Bears at Soldier Field, while the Bears are going to begin preparations to host the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Wild Card postseason round.
Jake Bates nailed a 42-yard field goal for the Lions as regulation expired, ensuring that they would finish 9-8 and with a winning record for the fourth straight season, something they’d not done in over 50 years.
However, Lions head coach Dan Campbell already has his sights set on the future and is expressing optimism.
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Detroit Lions Coach Dan Campbell Admitted The Team Was “Pissed” Entering Week 18
Despite the bitterly disappointing end to what was a two-season reign at the top of the NFC North, Campbell believes that what took place in 2025 was for a reason, and they’ll ultimately be better for it moving forward.
“Good win by the guys, I’m proud of them,” Campbell said of how his players performed. “I didn’t expect anything different out of them, just knowing the guys that we have. Nonetheless, I’m still proud of them. It’s not always the easiest thing to get eliminated and it’s hard for some guys when you’re back out in the elements against a team that’s already clinched. But our guys fought, man.”
“From the beginning, even when they came back, our guys didn’t bat an eye. We were able to finish it out, and it was really one of the best games we’ve played as far as complimentary football.”
Campbell then referenced general manager Brad Holmes with what he’s looking forward to fixing in the weeks and months ahead, while also admitting that the players weren’t happy heading into the game knowing that their playoff hopes were dashed.
“I’ll say this – I believe that things happen for a reason, right, wrong, or indifferent or what, and I just, when something like this happens, I believe it’s gonna be for the best,” Campbell said. “And it’s up to Brad (Holmes) and I to make it for the best, and the guys that we know we’re gonna count on, that are on this team. So, that’s how I view it, because as good as it felt to get that last one, let’s call it what it is, (we were) pretty pissed all week, and it’s a bad feeling.”
“It’s frustrating, so that’s what fuels you. We don’t want to be doing that again next year, that’s not where we want to be. We gotta get in.”
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The Lions Beat The Bears For The Second Time This Season
Just as they did in the second week of the season, the Lions took down the Bears, this time in front of their home fans at Soldier Field.
Detroit’s 52–21 victory over the Bears at Ford Field on Sept. 14 was a resounding response to a disappointing Week One loss to the Packers and marked the beginning of a stretch in which the Lions won five of their first seven games.
However, the Lions were ultimately unable to maintain their momentum, and will have to watch the NFL Playoffs from home for the first time since 2023.
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