The Detroit Lions are in Arizona for what feels like a pivotal game against the Cardinals. Win, and they’re in a three-way tie for second place in the NFC North with the Bears and Packers also trailing the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings. Lose, and the Lions will be the sole possessor of last place in the division heading into their Week 6 bye. Detroit ended 2025 in the cellar of the NFC North, to find their way back there after a month of the season would be highly disappointing.
If Detroit is going to turn
it around, they’re going to need both the offense and defense to play better. The offense is putting up points, but coming up cold in some of the most inopportune moments—including the beginning of games. The defense has far less going for it. Despite having a much improved pass rush, they rank in the bottom five of nearly every statistical category.
But Sunday brings another opportunity to improve and right the ship. The Cardinals have had plenty of struggles of their own, and they’re heading into this game without their WR2 and two starting offensive linemen.
Can the Lions bring some hope into the bye week? Or will the doomers and gloomers be even louder for the next two weeks?
This post will provide live score updates from Lions vs. Cardinals, which is scheduled to kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX. We’ll have drive-by-drive analysis, highlights, and injury news populating this post when the game starts.
See you then, and go Lions!
