Why The Lions' Final Game Matters Despite Playoff Elimination

As the Lions gear up for their showdown, there's more than just pride on the line this Sunday. It's a chance for a slice of history. The Detroit Lions are officially eliminated from the playoffs. However, there is still a lot on the line with this final game of the season.

If the Detroit Lions (8-8) beat the Chicago Bears (11-5) on Sunday, they will accomplish something the Lions haven't done in over 50 years. They will have finished 4 seasons in a row with more wins than losses. The Detroit Lions haven't done that since the 1969 through 1972 seasons.

Detroit Lions Winning Seasons Streaks

1969: 9-4-1
1970: 10-4
1971: 7-6-1
1972: 8-5-1

2022: 9-8
2023: 12-5
2024: 15-2
2025: 9-8?

The Detroit Lions became a very bad team in the 1970s and kept that going through the 1980s. Barry Sanders helped them in the 1990s, the best he could. However, the Lions had a 10-year streak from 2001 to 2010 with a losing record every single year.

This year, the Detroit Lions have been beaten by more bad calls than good teams.

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The Chicago Bears' position in the playoffs will not change, win or lose. They don't have enough wins to clinch a first-round bye, but they've clinched the division title. They will likely rest many key players on Sunday.

When is the next Detroit Lions Game?

The 8-8 Detroit Lions will travel to freezing Chicago to take on the 11-5 Bears on Sunday, January 4th, 2026. Game time: 4:25 PM Eastern Time.

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How can I watch this week's Detroit Lions game?

Figuring out how to watch an NFL game each week has become a complicated mess. That's why we've provided a list of all Michigan TV stations and streaming apps that will carry this game below.