The Detroit Lions‘ playoff hopes took another hit in Week 15 when they suffered a 41-34 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and it’s clear that time is running out for them to fix their issues in all three phases of the game. While the offense was generally firing on all cylinders in this one, the defense simply could not get a stop against the Rams.
It also didn’t help that Detroit’s special teams units weren’t exactly playing their best football in this one, either. One particular punt return in the fourth quarter drew the ire of fans, and it forced special teams coordinator Dave Fipp to explain what the Lions were attempting to accomplish on this head-scratching play.
Dave Fipp Explains Lions’ Punt Return Gaffe
The Lions’ loss to the Rams felt like a fitting representation of the team’s 2025 campaign. The team played well, but their inability to put together a strong all-around performance came back to hurt them. Sometimes, the offense plays well, but the defense struggles. Other weeks, though, Detroit cannot put points on the board and ends up wasting strong performances from its defense.
Special teams play often gets overlooked, but it played a big role in this game, too. Kicker Jake Bates missed a field goal on the team’s first drive, and a confusing punt return in the fourth quarter put Detroit’s offense in a worse spot than it could have been in. Considering how the team had to settle for a field goal on this drive, it ended up being a costly play.
With 12-and-a-half minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Rams punted the ball back to the Lions, who had both Kalif Raymond and Tom Kennedy back to field the punt. The ball was kicked to Kennedy’s side of the field, but Raymond slid over and caused some unnecessary confusion for Kennedy. While he still picked up eight yards on the return, it was a very messy play, which Fipp addressed ahead of the team’s Week 16 action.
“We had two out there. If they punt the ball to the right, you field it with (Raymond), if they punt the ball to the left, you field it with (Kennedy),” Fipp said. “They had a hard time communicating because of the noise, but the ball was also clearly on the left side of the field. ‘Lif should have just let T.K. catch it, but he wanted it too, I guess.”
Lions Need to Be at Their Best in Week 16 vs. Steelers
GettyThe Detroit Lions have zero room for error going into their game on Sunday, December 21, against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With an 8-6 record now, time is running out for the Lions to make one last playoff push. There’s no doubt this team is flawed, yes, but when they are playing their brand of football, they can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the NFL. That makes them extremely dangerous in the postseason, but they have to get there first, which isn’t exactly guaranteed to happen at this stage of the game.
Heading into Week 16, Detroit has another tough game on its schedule against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both teams have a lot on the line heading into this one, but considering the corner the Lions have backed themselves into, they may be feeling more pressure to come out with a win in this one. Kickoff for this very important contest is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon.
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