Pride of Detroit
The wait is finally over after weeks of training camp, joint practices, and preseason games. Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season kicked off for the Detroit Lions in Lambeau Field, taking on the Green Bay Packers. The back-to-back NFC North champions were asked a tough task to start the season out, facing their biggest rival on the road with their new pass rusher, Micah Parsons.
From the opening drive, the Packers were in control the whole time. The Packers offense moved easily down the field for most of the game, despite being limited in the run. The Lions didn’t have an answer for Green Bay’s passing game, despite upgrades in the secondary. The pass rush couldn’t assist them, and the offense was a shell of its former self, struggling at everything.
There is plenty to discuss after the Lions’ loss on Sunday afternoon. Here are my takeaways from the 27-13 defeat to the Packers.
According to PFF, the Packers were the third-best pass-blocking team in the NFL last season. They held their own against the Lions on Sunday ,as the Lions struggled to get pressure on Packers quarterback Jordan Love. PFF also credited the Lions with nine pressures. EDGE Aidan Hutchinson was quiet in his return from his injury last season, finishing with just three pressures. For your star player to be contained to just three pressures for four quarters, not ideal.
With all the injuries the Lions had last season, fans and the media expected Detroit to get some help for the pass rush, and the Lions didn’t make any big moves. They re-signed EDGE Marcus Davenport and released Za’Darius Smith, who has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. While the Packers have a respectable offensive line, if the defensive line can’t generate pressure on the quarterback, the secondary will be asked to do a lot this season.
Throughout the preseason, it appeared the weakest link on the team was the special teams unit. They produced multiple penalties and struggled on return defense. Those struggles continued into the regular season and might be a legit concern for the Lions. Kicker Jake Bates made both of his field goals, but kicked a ball into the end zone for a touchback, which will be harsher this season with the new kicking rules.
The return game on both sides was rough, too. While the Lions only allowed five returns for 71 yards, two of the returns by Green Bay were reduced due to penalties. The Lions struggled themselves on returns, getting seven for 135 yards, with the longest return being only 25 yards. Detroit might want to adjust to calling for fair catches if there isn’t room.
We all knew the Lions would have a shake-up on their offensive line when right guard Kevin Zeitler signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency. The bigger change was when center Frank Ragnow suddenly retired in June,...
