Detroit Lions
Frank Ragnow and Levi Onwuzurike were pivotal trench contributors for the NFC’s No. 1 seed last season and were expected to again be foundational forces on the interior in 2025. Replicating their production on both sides of the ball won’t be easy. But a look inside the data lab reveals several Detroit Lions players whose small-sample participation splits last season paint a revealing picture of how their presence—or absence—tangibly impacted Detroit’s performance in the trenches.
Lions defense – Levi Onwuzurike
After Jack Campbell, Levi Onwuzurike might’ve been the Lions’ most steady and reliable front-seven presence last season. He tied Carlton...
Pride of Detroit
Of course every NFL team wants to win every time they step on the field, but it’s a whole different thing when a franchise lays it all out on the table and puts their eggs all in one basket.
That’s what Amon-Ra St. Brown says the Green Bay Packers are doing this season after their blockbuster trade for star defensive end Micah Parsons.
“It seems like they made a splash play — they want to win now,” the Detroit Lions wide receiver said on the latest episode of the St. Brown Podcast.
In a move that rocked the NFL, the...
Pride of Detroit
Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season got off to a bit of a weird start on Thursday night when the Philadelphia Eagles narrowly defeated the Dallas Cowboys 24-20. After the ceremony that celebrated Philadelphia’s second Super Bowl title, the opening kick off unfortunately began with an injury, followed by Eagles star defensive tackle Jalen Carter spitting(!) on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. And while I am sure that isn’t how the NFL wanted the new season to get started, they have plenty of juicy matchups for fans to look forward to in the rest of the Week 1 slate.
Obviously...
Pride of Detroit
The NFL 2025 season is here, and that means it’s time for another year of our On Paper previews!
On Paper is a preview I developed over 15 years ago that strives to do one thing that most NFL previews don’t: compare units that are actually going against each other. Too many previews compare which team has the better offense and defense. That makes little sense when those units aren’t facing off.
The other primary goal is to avoid relying on overall stats and to focus on putting those stats into context. A team putting up 300 yards and four...
Pride of Detroit
The Detroit Lions are on the road in Week 1, taking on division rival Green Bay Packers to kick off their 2025 season. If the Lions want to get off to a hot start, they’ll need to follow the keys to victory laid out in this week’s Honolulu Blueprint.
“You want to win the first one, right?” Lions coach Dan Campbell said earlier in the week. “You feel like you get off on the right foot, and you get that first win under your belt. I just think that’s big for anybody. For us, you love it. The problem is...
Pride of Detroit
Welcome to the start of a season series with bold predictions that are more than just a bite. If you follow me online, you know I can have some bold opinions on not just sports, but food, video games, and other things. Today, my bold takes return to the football field and the Detroit Lions. In the past two years, I have written about a few bold predictions, one was close to becoming true, one I nailed, and one about a player I will discuss here.
Now it’s time to take on 2025, the Detroit Lions’ Week 1 matchup against...
Pride of Detroit
The Detroit Lions’ trajectory has gone up and up and up under coach Dan Campbell. You probably already remember, but let’s take a trip down memory lane:
When it comes to regular seasons record, there’s not much room to improve in 2025. That said, Detroit is just 2-2 in the playoffs under Campbell and last year’s Divisional Round loss was a gut punch to an otherwise magical season.
With the NFC North opponents closing in, a daunting schedule, and some significant changes within the organization, can the Lions...
Pride of Detroit
Let me be the very first person in the world to say.
FOOTBALL IS BACK!
Okay, sure, college football started a couple of weeks ago, and before that we had training camp. And before that there was the NFL Draft, and the UFL, and free agency.
Okay, football never really left, but the NFL regular season did, and on Thursday night it’s officially BACK!
The 2025 NFL season opens up with what could end up being a pretty critical NFC matchup. The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys in a divisional showdown.
The Eagles remain the conference’s...
Pride of Detroit
The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers returned to the practice field on Thursday as they prepare for their Week 1 matchup this Sunday afternoon. The Lions still have two players not practicing, but they were able to return their rookie third-round wide receiver, Isaac TeSlaa, as he appears to be moving past his illness.
Let’s take a look at Thursday’s injury report and get you up to date with what we know.
Note: Any changes from the Lions’ previous injury report will be bolded.
Vaki and...
Pride of Detroit
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp all met with local media on Thursday in the lead up to Sunday’s game vs. the Packers.
Here are my six biggest takeaways from those sessions.
Morton was asked about the confidence he had in both Kalif Raymond and Isaac TeSlaa now that the Lions traded their established WR3 in Tim Patrick. Interestingly enough, Morton only talked about the rookie receiver, leaving Raymond out of his answer entirely.
“Yeah, I think TeSlaa did a...
Pride of Detroit
On Thursday, the Lions announced two transactions to their practice squad, officially signing quarterback C.J. Bethard and releasing edge rusher Isaac Ukwu in a corresponding move.
Earlier in the week, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell explained that the team was looking for an experienced quarterback to fill out their room. On Wednesday, it was reported that the Lions planned to sign Bethard to their practice squad to fill their third quarterback role, with the move now becoming official. Bethard provides the Lions with veteran insurance at the quarterback position, serving as a backup to starter Jared Goff and established QB2...
Pride of Detroit
We made it. The long, painful offseason is over, and Detroit Lions football is back. To begin the 2025 season, the Lions head towards Wisconsin for a matchup with their divisional rival, the Green Bay Packers. And to break down America’s Game of the Week—myself, Meko Scott, and Brandon Knapp recorded the first installment of our new weekly preview podcast, “Before the Roar.”
We jump into how the Lions can take advantage of Green Bay on both sides of the ball, including weighing in on how the Lions’ new-look offensive line should hold up against a talented Packers’ front....
Pride of Detroit
