The Detroit Lions will begin their 2025 season this week, with the team taking on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday in Week 1.
The Lions have been an elite team for a few years now, but head coach Dan Campbell and Co. haven't been able to get over the hump to a Super Bowl.
Detroit posted a 15-2 record in 2024 but was one-and-done in the playoffs at the hands of the Washington Commanders, who emerged victorious in the divisional round matchup between the two teams.
The Lions will have two new coordinators this year after Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn left to take head-coaching gigs. John Morton is the new offensive coordinator and Kelvin Sheppard takes over at defensive coordinator.
The offensive line has seen some changes, also. Graham Glasgow has slid over to center in the wake of Frank Ragnow's retirement and Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany will start at guard.
While the Lions sport much of the same talented roster, those changes have led to some concerns about Detroit possibly taking a step back in 2025.
Let's see if that's reflected in the NFL power rankings of experts going into Week 1.
NFL power rankings Week 1
Iyer: "The Lions will need to deal well with the losses of offensive and defensive coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn out of the gate to keep their tough NFC North competition at bay. Looking for more downfield passing to rev up the offense and much more reliable defense with Aidan Hutchinson back."
Prisco: "They will battle the Packers in the division and should be a wild card team. The loss of both coordinators and some attrition on the offensive line are concerns."
Davis: "Much of the offseason focus has understandably been trained on their numerous coaching departures, including both coordinators. But let's not forget that DE Aidan Hutchinson will be back wrecking shop in Week 1, either."
Clay: "Injuries decimated the Lions' defense in 2024, which led to a quick playoff exit after a dominant 15-2 regular season. The departures of coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, as well as new players on the interior offensive line, create notable uncertainties. But Detroit's roster is still stacked with talent. I expect the Lions to contend for the top NFC seed again despite projecting them to have the toughest schedule."
Robert Zeglinski and Christian D'Andrea, For The Win: 5
Zeglinski: "I think this tends to get lost in the shuffle, so to remind everyone: the Lions won 15 games last year. No problems they've endured in the offseason or preseason, such as losing both of their coordinators, are anything extraordinary for a team of this caliber. The same juggernaut roster remains in place. There's no reason to believe it can't enjoy similar dominance, provided Dan Campbell does his job."
Kendall: "The Lions moved up a spot in these rankings for one reason: the Hutch Rule. That’s what Detroit head coach Dan Campbell called his preseason policy of letting practice snaps continue even after Aidan Hutchinson beat his man and had his sights on the quarterback. Hutchinson, who is returning from a broken leg that ended his 2024 season in Week 6, has apparently done that so often this preseason that the offense wouldn’t get anything done without the Hutch Rule. If he is back at that level, he’s a Defensive Player of the Year front-runner."
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