Fansided

The NFC's top-seeded Detroit Lions suffered an excruciating Divisional Round loss to the No. 6 Washington Commanders. They were outclassed in all facets of the game against a considerable underdog in front of their home crowd. Detroit cruised through the regular season en route to a 15-2 record, earning a first-round bye and home-field advantage. Alas, it was all for not, thanks to ascending rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. Frankly, it was an incredibly disheartening performance, especially from a team with Super Bowl aspirations. However, the shocking defeat at the hands of the Commanders also served as a wake-up call for the Lions. As good as they are, Detroit's flaws were exposed. Their lack of a consistent pass-rushing threat and inability to defend the pass was abundantly clear. Moreover, the NFC North champions have noteworthy players dealing with long-term injuries or are slated to hit free agency this offseason. Given the circumstances, the Lions will be busy this spring, with the 2025 NFL Draft marking a pivotal moment for them. Eyeing a title next season, Detroit can bolster their chances of getting over the hump during the league's annual multi-day event. They'd be in good shape if the first four rounds were to go like this projection.