The 2025 NFL season is almost here, and if there’s one team that’s carrying both immense pressure and electrifying momentum into the fall, it’s the Detroit Lions. Following their historic 15-2 season in 2024 and their long-awaited rise to the top of the NFC standings, the Lions are no longer underdogs—they are contenders. For a team that spent decades being overlooked and often underestimated, this moment is the culmination of careful drafting, elite coaching, and an energized fan base that’s seen it all.
With great expectations come great matchups. The NFL schedule has revealed a slate filled with marquee contests, and two games featuring the Detroit Lions have already been circled by fans, media, and league insiders as among the most anticipated of the entire 2025 season. These contests not only showcase elite-level football but carry enormous implications for the postseason, rivalries, and narrative arcs that have shaped the league’s recent history.
Let’s take a deep dive into the two most hyped games involving the Lions this season: a road showdown with the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and a bitter NFC North clash against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field.
1. Lions vs. Eagles: NFC Heavyweights Collide
The Stakes
One of the biggest matchups on the entire 2025 NFL calendar is Detroit’s visit to Lincoln Financial Field to face the Philadelphia Eagles. There was speculation that this game might kick off the entire NFL season on Thursday Night Football—an honor typically reserved for the Super Bowl champions. Although the league ultimately opted for a different Week 1 opener (Dallas at Philadelphia), the buzz surrounding this game has not diminished.
This is more than just a regular-season contest; it’s a statement game. The Eagles, fresh off a dominant 2024 campaign capped by a Super Bowl victory, are the measuring stick. For Detroit, who came agonizingly close to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance, this is a chance to prove their ascent is not a fluke.
Star Power on Display
Quarterback Jared Goff had a career year in 2024, tossing 34 touchdowns and throwing for over 4,500 yards. His chemistry with star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown and the thunder-and-lightning backfield combination of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery turned the Lions’ offense into a scoring machine. Gibbs, especially, has become a household name after racking up over 1,800 all-purpose yards and 20 total touchdowns last season.
On the other side of the field, the Eagles have an equally potent arsenal. Quarterback Jalen Hurts continues to shine as a dual-threat leader, and their defensive line—anchored by Haason Reddick and Jordan Davis—remains one of the most feared in the NFL.
Expect fireworks. Expect physicality. Expect a game that feels more like January than October.
Narrative Layers
There’s a growing rivalry here. In 2022, the Eagles narrowly edged out the Lions in a 38-35 thriller. That game was viewed as a moral victory for Detroit, who were rebuilding at the time. Three years later, Detroit doesn’t want moral victories—they want wins, and they want revenge.
This matchup is also a potential NFC Championship preview. If both teams live up to expectations, they could very well meet again in the postseason. That adds even more weight to this regular-season clash.
2. Lions vs. Packers: The Rivalry Renewed in a New Era
Old Foes, New Stakes
There are rivalries, and then there are rivalries. The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers have faced each other more than 190 times since 1930, but few recent matchups have carried as much electricity as this year’s showdown at Ford Field. Both teams are legitimate contenders, both have elite young talent, and both fan bases desperately want to assert dominance over the NFC North.
The Lions swept the Packers in 2024, including a thrilling 34-31 win in the final month of the season that helped Detroit lock up the division. Green Bay, led by young quarterback Jordan Love, is hungry to regain control. The Packers may lead the all-time series, but Detroit’s recent surge has brought parity to this historic rivalry.
The Battle Within the Division
The NFC North has quietly become one of the most competitive divisions in football. While the Bears and Vikings are rebuilding with promising pieces, it’s the Lions and Packers who are fighting at the top.
This game could be a de facto division championship, depending on how the season unfolds. Even if it’s played in Week 8 or 9, the outcome could set the tone for the second half of the year. In 2024, the Lions went 6-0 in the division. Repeating that feat won’t be easy, especially against a Packers squad seeking redemption.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Jordan Love vs. Detroit’s Secondary: Love has come into his own as a franchise QB, but Detroit’s defense, anchored by cornerback Cam Sutton and safety Brian Branch, is vastly improved.
- Gibbs vs. Packers’ Front Seven: Jahmyr Gibbs’ speed and agility in space can break games open. Green Bay’s linebacker group will need to stay disciplined to contain him.
- Coaching Chess Match: Dan Campbell has become one of the most respected leaders in the league, while Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is known for his offensive ingenuity. Their contrasting styles—gritty versus cerebral—make for a fascinating sideline showdown.
Why These Games Matter So Much
The Lions are no longer just a feel-good story. They’re legitimate contenders. The NFL schedule-makers understand this, which is why Detroit has been placed in multiple prime-time slots and high-stakes contests. These two games—against the Eagles and Packers—are more than just regular season matchups. They’re symbolic tests for a team attempting to permanently rewrite its legacy.
National Spotlight
For decades, Detroit’s Thanksgiving game was often the only nationally televised opportunity the Lions had. That’s changed. In 2025, the Lions are expected to feature in multiple national broadcasts, Sunday Night Football appearances, and possibly even holiday specials. The eyes of the country will be watching.
These two games, in particular, are litmus tests. How Detroit handles the bright lights, high pressure, and elite opponents will tell us if they’re ready to take the next step.
Playoff Implications
It’s never too early to talk playoffs in the NFL, and these two games will have ripple effects.
- A win in Philadelphia could give the Lions the inside track for home-field advantage in the NFC.
- A victory over the Packers could essentially eliminate a divisional rival from contention.
In a conference that includes the 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys, and an emerging Seahawks team, every win counts.
The Bigger Picture for Detroit
For Lions fans, this season is about more than just wins and losses. It’s about rewriting decades of disappointment and misfortune. It’s about proving that last season wasn’t a fluke. And it’s about planting the Honolulu Blue flag atop the NFC North—and maybe even the entire conference.
These two games represent everything the Lions are fighting for: respect, relevance, and a shot at ultimate glory.
With a hungry roster, a charismatic coach in Dan Campbell, and a fan base that’s never wavered, the Detroit Lions are marching into 2025 with a rare combination of swagger and purpose.
Final Thoughts
The Detroit Lions aren’t sneaking up on anyone this season. They are the hunted, not the hunters. But that’s exactly where they want to be.
As the NFL world gears up for another thrilling season, two games stand out as defining moments on the Lions’ schedule: a road clash with the defending Super Bowl champions and a rivalry home game with divisional supremacy on the line. Win those, and Detroit won’t just be playoff-bound—they’ll be feared.
So circle the dates, clear your calendar, and get ready. The Detroit Lions are primed for must-see football in 2025.