Pride of Detroit
Sunday’s 2025 Detroit Lions season finale is likely to be one of the least-watched games in the local Detroit market in several years. In the midst of a three-game skid, the Lions are not just tough to watch right now, they’re also essentially irrelevant—out of the playoff race and with nothing to play for but pride. If you’re not going to watch on Sunday, I certainly wouldn’t blame you.
But if you clicked on this article, you’re at least curious enough as to why anyone would want to watch the Lions take on the Chicago Bears in Week 18. So here are some reasons.
The Lions’ run game was a massive disappointment this season, and Dan Campbell knows it. The offensive line figures to see some serious changes in 2026, but there’s a good chance that both Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany will hold starting roles for the foreseeable future.
Against a Bears run defense that ranks near the bottom of the league in just about every statistical category, it would certainly be nice to see the duo combine with center Graham Glasgow to plow out some rushing lanes for Detroit’s talented backfield. They’ll have to do so without Penei Sewell—the best run-blocking tackle in football—but any sign of progress would be encouraging.
With Alim McNeill ruled out for Sunday, it could lead to an increased role for Lions first-round rookie Tyleik Williams. After McNeill’s return from injury this season, Williams saw his average snaps go from 30.5 per game to 24.3. So it stands to reason Williams will get more playing time.
It won’t be an easy task for Williams and company, as the Bears bring one of the best running games in football. But I won’t be looking (or expecting) the Lions to completely shut down D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. Instead, I’m just looking for individual solid play from Williams. Can he hold his ground against a tough Bears front? Has he progressed in his pass rush?
With DJ Reader on an expiring contract, Williams will likely enter Year 2 as a presumed starter, so any signs of rookie development will be welcomed in the finale.
Alex Anzalone has been declared out for this game, and after some contractual disputes to start the year, it’s reasonable to think the veteran linebacker has played his final game as a Detroit Lion.
Malcolm Rodriguez is also on an expiring contract, but given he’s much younger than Anzalone (31 vs. 26) and will almost certainly come much cheaper on a new contract, it’s possible the Lions could view Rodriguez as Anzalone’s successor.
Coming off a torn ACL last year, Rodriguez hasn’t played much at all on defense this season: just 32 total snaps. But having logged well over 1,000 defensive snaps over his first four years, we’ve seen some promise from the 2022 sixth-round pick. That said, it’s hard to know...
