From a results standpoint, Sunday was one of the worst regular-season days for the Detroit Lions in recent memory. Both the Green Bay Packers (6-3-1) and Chicago Bears (7-3) barely escaped with a win, and the Lions (6-4) put up an embarrassing dud in their 16-9 loss against the gold standard of the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles (8-2).
The loss was a group effort from just about everyone outside of the defensive side of the ball. The two primary culprits were quarterback Jared Goff and the failed third and fourth-down attempts.
Like a defender in his face, Goff could not shake the indoor vs. outdoor narratives after turning in one of the worst games of his career in the cold and windy Lincoln Financial Field. Goff's tipped interception on the first drive became a harbinger of things to come as he completed a career-low 37.8% of his passes after entering Sunday Night Football leading all QBs in the stat on the season. Goff ended the game on a shocking 2-18 stretch.
The Eagles turnover the Lions on downs for the FOURTH time tonight
DETvsPHI on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/UJ5ZQwCjXJ
— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2025
Goff's frustrating performance led to numerous missed opportunities on third and fourth down. The Lions went 3-13 on third downs and 0-5 on fourth down. This was the second-worst fourth-down performance of the Dan Campbell era, with the worst being the historically bad 0-6 in 2022 in a 29-0 loss to the New England Patriots.
The Lions did not attempt a single field goal until late in the fourth quarter, after beginning their drive in Eagles' territory following the Lions' defense stopping two tush push attempts. Kicker Jake Bates would make the 54-yard attempt, which will certainly lead to questions about why Bates wasn't given more chances to kick.
What makes such a performance frustrating is that the Eagles' offense wasn't much better. Jalen Hurts, who now moves to 11-0 against the NFC North as a starter, completed 14 of his 28 passes for 135 yards. The Eagles went 4-15 on third downs and 0-1 on fourth down. The difference in the game really came down to the Eagles knowing when to kick and trusting their special teams to get the job done.
One more scheduled cold weather game to go at the worst possible time
There's bad news for anyone hoping this would be the Lions' last game outdoors this season. First off, the Lions are now very unlikely to have homefield advantage in the playoffs -- if they even make it. They have one more scheduled game in cold weather, and it's not for the faint of heart.
For Week 18, the Lions head to Chicago to face off against former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and the now-NFC North-leading Chicago Bears. The day and time will be determined at a later date, and could reasonably be flexed to a night game. Either way, it will be a January game in the Windy City. A game that could decide the NFC North or a spot in the playoffs in general.
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Sunday had none of the good vibes of Week 9, when Campbell took over play-calling duties in a dominant win over the Washington Commanders. The "Legion of Whom" did the best they could to keep the Lions in it, but Goff and the offense struggled to take advantage. This was a very winnable game that the Lions lost. Now, the Lions are on the outside looking in in the playoff picture, and outside is the last place any Lion wants to be right now.