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The Detroit Lions’ 23-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings this week didn’t just break hearts in Motown, it effectively locked in the NFC playoff picture, leaving only the seeding and the NFC South representative to be determined. That final divisional spot is currently a dogfight between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with a winner-take-all clash likely set for the season finale in Tampa.
It was a dismal Christmas for Detroit fans, who watched their postseason aspirations vanish at the hands of rookie quarterback Max Brosmer. In what was only his second career start, Brosmer threw for a meager 51 yards, but the Vikings’ defense took the wheel, forcing six turnovers and sacking Jared Goff five times to send their rivals packing.
From Historic 15-Win Season to Early Vacations: The Great Collapse of 2025
Last season, the Lions and Chiefs were the undisputed titans of the NFL, each racking up 15 wins to secure the top seeds in their respective conferences. They became only the eighth and ninth teams in league history to hit that 15-win milestone. However, the NFL is famously fickle. Fast forward to Week 17, and both squads are already eliminated, likely spending the final week of the season resting starters simply because there is nothing left to play for but pride.
In missing the playoffs entirely, they join the 2008 Patriots and the 2016 Panthers as the only teams to miss the postseason immediately after a 15+ win campaign, though the Lions hold the unfortunate distinction of being the only ones in that group who didn’t even reach the Super Bowl during their dominant year.
The carnage doesn’t stop there. Of the seven teams with the most wins last season, only the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles are still standing (and they ironically face each other this week). The Washington Commanders, who reached the NFC Championship last year behind Jayden Daniels, are already out. The Minnesota Vikings, who won 14 games last year, let Sam Darnold walk, only to watch him lead the Seahawks to the top of the NFC.
Even the Baltimore Ravens are on life support; they face a must-win road game against the Packers this Saturday, likely without Lamar Jackson. A Ravens loss would officially eliminate them and hand the AFC North crown to the Steelers. Very few “experts” could have predicted a Week 17 where the Lions, Chiefs, Ravens, and Commanders were all watching from the couch.
Turning 2024’s Bottom-Feeders into 2025’s Contenders
While the giants have fallen, a new guard has risen from the ashes of last year’s basement. Three teams that were among the league’s worst a year ago have undergone miraculous turnarounds thanks to new leadership. In the AFC, Mike Vrabel has transformed the New England Patriots from a four-win disaster into a 12-3 juggernaut that is currently hunting for the No. 1 seed. Similarly, Liam Coen took over a four-win Jacksonville Jaguars squad and has already steered them to 11 victories and a guaranteed playoff berth.
The story is just as compelling in the NFC, where Ben Johnson has the Chicago Bears playing their best football in years. After winning just five games last season, the Bears have surged to 11 wins and are on the verge of clinching their first division title since 2018. All three of these teams are currently in a position to host at least one playoff game, proving that a single offseason and the right coaching hire can completely flip the script of a franchise. With the traditional powerhouses out and the former “bottom-feeders” leading the charge, you have to ask yourself: do you still think the NFL is rigged?
This news was originally published on this post .
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