The Detroit Lions began the 2025 NFL season as a paradox. After a historic 2024 campaign where they finished with a franchise-best 15-2 record and secured the NFC’s top playoff seed, they seemed to have finally shed their reputation for failure. For a team that had never hosted multiple playoff games in one year before 2024, their status as a Super Bowl contender was clear. Still, many analysts saw their success as fragile, pointing to what they called a “ton of regression indicators.” This created a strange situation: how can a projected conference champion still feel like an underdog? The answer lies in their continuous battle against a football world that is slow to believe their success is here to stay.
This narrative of defiance was tested immediately. Following a season-opening loss to the rival Green Bay Packers, doubts could have easily crept in. Instead, the team responded with two powerful victories, including a critical road win against the Baltimore Ravens on “Monday Night Football.” This showed a team built on resilience, proving its success is a new reality. Information from a source like https://www.actionnetwork.com/ often illustrates how expert predictions and betting markets reflect a team’s public perception. In this case, such data would likely show a disconnect between the Lions’ on-field power and the lingering public skepticism, which is the very heart of their ongoing underdog story.
A Heavy Legacy of Struggle
To understand the modern Detroit Lions, one must look at their difficult past. The team’s underdog identity is rooted in decades of hardship. The franchise began as the Portsmouth Spartans in 1928 before moving to Detroit in 1934. The early years brought success, with four NFL championships between 1935 and 1957. This golden age, however, contrasts sharply with the championship drought that has now lasted over 65 years, the second-longest in the league.
For most of its history, the team has been known for near-misses and heartbreak. A key part of the team’s lore is the “Curse of Bobby Layne.” Legend says that after being traded in 1958, Layne declared the team “wouldn’t win for 50 years,” a prophecy many fans believe has haunted the franchise. The lowest point came in 2008 when the team finished with an 0-16 record, the first winless 16-game season in NFL history. This history is not just a collection of facts; it is a psychological burden that makes every victory feel like a defiant act against the past.
The Pride Finds its Roar
The last few seasons marked a profound change for the team. This transformation started with the arrival of Head Coach Dan Campbell and General Manager Brad Holmes. Campbell instilled a new culture centered on “Grit, conviction and collaboration.” His authentic leadership and high standards of accountability have become the team’s foundation.
This new culture led directly to on-field results. The turnaround began in 2023 when the team rallied from a 1-6 start to a 9-8 finish. That momentum exploded into the historic 2024 season. The Lions achieved a 15-2 record, won the NFC North for the first time, and earned the No. 1 playoff seed. The dream season ended abruptly, however, with a stunning home playoff loss to the Washington Commanders. That single defeat created a narrative of fragility, setting the stage for renewed doubts entering 2025.
Confronting the Doubts in 2025
The 2025 season opened with widespread skepticism, giving the Detroit Lions plenty to prove. The departure of two key coaches was a major concern. Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson left for the Chicago Bears, and Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn took the head coaching job with the New York Jets. Losing both coordinators created uncertainty for a team that had thrived on consistency.
Moreover, the offensive line required a significant rebuild. The retirement of four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow and the exit of guard Kevin Zeitler left big holes in a crucial unit. The team turned to younger players, raising questions about whether the line could maintain its dominance.
Finally, the team faced one of the league’s most difficult schedules. Their 2025 opponents had a combined .571 win percentage the previous season, and the schedule included 11 games against 2024 playoff teams. This tough road amplified the belief that even if the Lions were talented, their path to success would be incredibly difficult.
A Resounding Early Season Response
Despite the preseason pessimism, the team’s early 2025 performance has been a powerful refutation of the doubters. After losing to the Packers, the Lions rebounded with a 52-21 victory over the Bears and a gutsy 38-30 road win against the Ravens. The team scored an incredible 90 points in that two-game stretch. A look at their performance through Week 3 shows a team dominating its opponents.
- Total Offensive Yards: Lions 1183, Opponents 923
- Rushing Yards: Lions 447, Opponents 297
- Touchdowns: Lions 13, Opponents 10
- 4th Down Conversions: Lions 7 of 8, Opponents 1 of 4
- Sacks Allowed vs. Sacks Made: Lions allowed 4, Opponents allowed 11
- Turnover Ratio: Lions +2
These numbers show a team that is not just winning but physically controlling games. The Week 3 victory in Baltimore was especially symbolic. The Lions entered as underdogs but delivered a commanding performance, outrushing the Ravens 224-85 and sacking quarterback Lamar Jackson seven times. It was a litmus test they passed with flying colors, proving their success was no fluke.
A New Kind of Underdog
The 2025 season is proving to be a compelling new chapter for the Detroit Lions. Their story is not a simple rise from failure to dominance. Rather, it is about a team that has reimagined its underdog identity. Fueled by a history of struggle, the team met renewed skepticism with powerful early-season performances. They have proven that their success comes from a deep culture of resilience and defiance. The Detroit Lions are no longer underdogs due to a lack of talent. They are underdogs because they possess a fierce spirit that refuses to be defined by anyone’s expectations but their own.