Jan 01, 2026
3 min read
Tim Twentyman covers all the Detroit Lions news, including quarterback Jared Goff's Week 18 thoughts, updates on Sam LaPorte's commitment and more.
The Detroit Lions will not represent the NFC in the playoffs after being eliminated from the playoffs on Christmas Day.Chicago has a chance Sunday in Week 18 to spoil the hopes of the No. 2 seed Bears in a game that could potentially sweep the season series against the NFC North champion Bears.
It's a chance to snap a three-game losing streak and end a tough season on a positive note, over .500 on the year.It's another chance for them to play football and get their respect back.
"That's what we stand for as an organization," edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad said Wednesday.“It doesn't matter if it's the playoffs or no playoffs, we're a great team and a tough team and we're going to go out there and compete and we're going to play like we're playing for a No. 1 seed.
"At the end of the day, it says a lot about the individuals on the team and as an organization, about what we're about. Regardless of the results this year, you're a professional and as a professional, this is how you go about your business."
The Lions might play it safe with some players dealing with injuries who end the week as questionable to play and hold them out Sunday, but overall, Chicago is the last game on the schedule and Detroit wants to win it, much like they did in Green Bay Week 18 in 2022. Even without playoffs on the line, that win kicked off an important offseason that got the team on track for the next two seasons in 2023 (NFC Championship Game) and 2024 (No. 1 seed in NFC) before the step back this season.
Defender Jared Goff said on Wednesday: "That's something I have to pay to do" when asked why it is important for him to play on Sunday and try to finish the year hard."I am the defender of this team. I get paid to play on Sunday and do my job and do my best. It does not matter what our record or situation is. That is my job.
"It's about respect. Not just respect for yourself, but respect within your team, around the league. We want to go out there and put something positive on tape that can bounce back from some disrespect this year."
Detroit Pro Bowl quarterback Sam LaPorte's 2025 season ended in Week 10 at Washington when he suffered a back injury requiring surgery and was subsequently placed on injured reserve.
How is LaPorte a month and a half after surgery and rehab?
"Yeah, he's getting better," head coach Dan Campbell said."One of the things you make the playoffs wouldn't be. Did he get a chance to play? No, he wouldn't. But next year, it certainly doesn't seem like it's going to be off the charts at the beginning of the year. You want to believe we're going to get him in training camp. But he's still talking about that quarterback."getting better."
Anytime there's a neck or back injury, there's an added concern about rehab because those injuries can be debilitating, but Campbell seems to be making the progress LaPorta is making.
"Well, I think any time you start talking about the neck or the back or any of that -- depending on the knee, what the knee is or what it looks like -- it can be a concern just because you don't know," Campbell said.
"You don't know what will come of this, how they will recover. So there will always be time to heal here.
BROWNS SIGNED EGUACUN
After being held off the practice squad for the past two weeks, to make two starts at center for the Lions, second-year center Kingsley Agukauna was signed by Cleveland to Detroit's practice squad to join their 53-man roster before Week 18.
The Lions signed Eguacun as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and worked on their practice squad since his rookie season.Detroit enters Week 18 with an offseason without a player showing the potential to be a top center in the league.
"Well, he liked the opportunity," Campbell said Wednesday when asked about the situation."So, he felt like it was a good fit for him and I wish him the best. Love Kingsley — he's a good guy, he works his tail off, he's been here a couple of years. So, wish him the best."
- New kickoff rules and improved accuracy on long field goals, along with increased fourth-down offense, are having an impact on NFL fields.With a week to go, the NFL is on pace to have the fewest punt season in league history, with an average of 3.54 punts per team, an all-time low, according to the Associated Press.
- Since Week 5, Chicago is averaging 391.7 yards of offense per game, ranking 3rd in the NFL.
