Detroit, MI – June 9, 2025 — In a feat decades in the making, the Detroit Lions have etched their name into NFL history as the only team to defeat all 31 other franchises on Monday Night Football. With a 27-17 primetime victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Ford Field, the Lions didn’t just win a game—they cemented a legacy.
For a franchise once mocked for its futility, especially under the national spotlight, this milestone symbolizes a dramatic and inspiring transformation. The Lions of the 2020s are no longer a punchline; they’re a primetime powerhouse.
A Historic Win in the Motor City
When the NFL schedule was released in April, fans circled the Week 4 Monday night matchup between Detroit and the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs. The Lions were riding high after an NFC Championship Game appearance in the 2024 season, and the Chiefs remained the measuring stick for greatness. Under the bright lights of Monday Night Football, Detroit showed they belonged.
Quarterback Jared Goff orchestrated a masterful performance, completing 24-of-31 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. But it was the Lions’ defensive effort that sealed the moment. A strip sack by Aidan Hutchinson with 1:32 remaining in the fourth quarter led to a game-clinching touchdown run by rookie sensation Blake Corum.
The win wasn’t just Detroit’s fourth straight of the season—it completed a 40-year journey across eras, rosters, and rebuilds. With the victory over Kansas City, the Lions became the only NFL team to record Monday night wins against every other franchise.
The Long Road to Primetime Prominence
To understand the gravity of this accomplishment, one must consider where Detroit was. Prior to 2020, the Lions were 16-20 on Monday Night Football since 1970, with many of those games being forgettable losses in front of a national audience. The Lions were frequently relegated to Sunday afternoon matchups, rarely making appearances in marquee television slots. A culture of losing prevailed for much of the 2000s and 2010s.
But the tide began to turn when Brad Holmes was hired as General Manager in 2021 and Dan Campbell took over as head coach. The duo brought intensity, identity, and a clear vision for the future. Suddenly, the Lions were no longer trying to simply stay competitive—they were aiming to dominate.
Detroit’s Monday Night resurgence started with a stunning 2021 win over the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field, signaling the beginning of a new chapter. Over the next few seasons, they ticked off opponents one by one. They beat the Ravens in 2022, the Patriots in 2023, the Buccaneers in 2024, and finally the elusive Chiefs in 2025.
Breaking Down the 31: The Road to All-Time
Here’s a look at how Detroit earned Monday Night Football victories against each NFL team over the decades:
- AFC East: Dolphins (1994), Bills (2006), Patriots (2023), Jets (2000)
- AFC North: Steelers (1998), Ravens (2022), Browns (1980), Bengals (2001)
- AFC South: Colts (1997), Jaguars (2010), Texans (2015), Titans (2005)
- AFC West: Raiders (1984), Broncos (1987), Chargers (1991), Chiefs (2025)
- NFC East: Cowboys (1994), Giants (1983), Eagles (1996), Washington (1989)
- NFC South: Saints (1993), Buccaneers (2024), Falcons (1999), Panthers (2008)
- NFC West: 49ers (1995), Seahawks (2003), Rams (1998), Cardinals (2009)
- NFC North: Bears, Packers, Vikings – all frequent Monday night foes, with wins scattered throughout the 1980s–2020s.
The Chiefs were the final holdout. Detroit had faced them only twice on Monday Night Football prior to 2025 and lost both games. Monday night’s win erased that blemish and completed the remarkable set.
Dan Campbell’s Blueprint for a New Era
After the win, head coach Dan Campbell was overcome with emotion. “This is a team city. This is a blue-collar town that’s believed in us even when it had every reason not to,” Campbell said. “We just made history. But we’re not done.”
Campbell has built a team that reflects the grit of Detroit. Hard-nosed, fearless, and now supremely talented, the Lions are no longer the league’s doormat—they’re the standard for resilience.
The team’s foundation—led by stars like Hutchinson, Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, and Jahmyr Gibbs—is built for sustainable success. But the broader context is even more impressive. This team has become a cultural force.
From 0-16 to One-of-One
It’s impossible to appreciate this feat without reflecting on the lowest point in franchise history: the infamous 0-16 season in 2008. That season remains a stain in NFL lore, and for years, the Lions struggled to shake the label of perennial losers.
And yet, just 17 years later, the same team that couldn’t win a single game became the only one to defeat every other franchise on the NFL’s most-watched night.
This is more than poetic justice. It’s the reward for patience, smart drafting, unshakable identity, and a fan base that refused to walk away. Detroit, often overlooked, now stands alone.
National Recognition and Fan Elation
The Lions have been gradually earning more national respect, but this historic milestone pushed them into a different stratosphere. Social media exploded with tributes to the team, and #LionsLightUpMondays began trending worldwide.
NFL analyst Mina Kimes tweeted, “No team has done what Detroit just did. What a journey—from the cellar to the summit. The Lions are officially America’s new favorite underdog-turned-contender.”
ESPN dedicated an entire segment to the accomplishment during Tuesday’s NFL Live, comparing Detroit’s MNF dominance to dynasties of yesteryear. For fans who endured the Millen era and countless quarterback changes, the praise felt surreal.
Ford Field erupted with chants of “Let’s Go Lions!” and “MNF Kings!” in the final seconds of the victory, with fans staying well past midnight to savor the moment. For many, it wasn’t just about beating the Chiefs—it was about being seen.
Looking Ahead: Super Bowl Aspirations?
Now that Detroit has accomplished something no other team has, questions naturally shift to the next frontier: a Super Bowl title.
The Lions came within one quarter of reaching the Super Bowl in the 2024 season, falling narrowly to the 49ers. But with their core returning stronger than ever—and young talent continuing to blossom—expectations are sky-high.
Goff, once cast aside by the Rams, has resurrected his career and become a beloved figure in the Motor City. His chemistry with St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta has turned Detroit into one of the most balanced offenses in the league. And defensively, Hutchinson leads a unit that plays with relentless tenacity.
The Lions have proven they can beat anyone—on any night. Now, their sights are set on doing so in February.
Legacy Secure, Story Still Unfolding
This Monday night triumph isn’t just about a stat—it’s about symbolism. The Detroit Lions were once the symbol of mediocrity in professional football. Today, they are a case study in redemption.
Becoming the only NFL team to beat all 31 opponents on Monday Night Football won’t guarantee a Lombardi Trophy, but it guarantees a permanent place in league history.
As Dan Campbell aptly said after the game: “We lit up Monday nights. Now we’re going to light up the whole damn league.”
Detroit fans believe. And for once, the rest of the football world believes with them.
Sidebar: Lions’ Top 5 Monday Night Football Moments
- 2025 vs. Chiefs (27-17) – Completed the 31-team sweep, cementing MNF legacy.
- 2021 vs. Packers (38-24) – Sparked belief in the Dan Campbell era.
- 1995 vs. 49ers (27-24 OT) – Barry Sanders broke the 2,000-yard barrier.
- 1989 vs. Washington (14-0) – First Monday Night shutout in franchise history.
- 2001 vs. Bengals (31-28) – Matt Millen’s only MNF win as GM; Joey Harrington’s breakout.
