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If you're frantically refreshing your feed asking what is the score of the Detroit Lions game, you might be a little bit early—or a little bit late—depending on what you're looking for. As of right now, Monday, January 12, 2026, the Detroit Lions are not on the field. Their season actually wrapped up about a week ago in a way that was, frankly, classic Detroit: gritty, stressful, and decided by a kicker.
The Lions finished their 2025-2026 regular season on January 4, 2026, with a nail-biting 19-16 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
It was a weird one.
Jake Bates was basically the entire offense for a while, hitting four field goals, including a 42-yarder exactly as the clock hit zero. Jared Goff threw for 331 yards, but the Lions almost let it slip away after Caleb Williams led a furious fourth-quarter comeback for Chicago. Even though they won that game, the Lions finished the season 9-8 and unfortunately missed out on a wild-card spot.
Breaking Down the Last Score of the Detroit Lions Game
When people ask about the score, they’re usually looking for that final Week 18 result because it determined the fate of the NFC North. Detroit entered the game needing a win just to keep their pride intact after a rough December.
| Quarter | Lions Score | Bears Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | 0 |
| 2nd | 10 | 0 |
| 3rd | 3 | 0 |
| 4th | 3 | 16 |
| Final | 19 | 16 |
The game was a defensive slog for three quarters. Honestly, it looked like the Lions were going to coast to an easy 16-0 win. Then the fourth quarter happened. Caleb Williams started finding Jahdae Walker and Colston Loveland, and suddenly it was tied 16-16 with less than six minutes left.
Goff had to orchestrate a final drive, which he did, despite an earlier interception that had fans tearing their hair out. He leaned heavily on Amon-Ra St. Brown—who had a massive 139-yard day—to get into field goal range. Jake Bates, the "UFL legend" turned Detroit hero, didn't blink. He drilled the game-winner, and that was that.
Why There Isn't a Game Today
You’re probably seeing playoff headlines and wondering why Detroit isn't in the mix. Yesterday, January 11, was Wild Card Sunday. You might have seen the Bears (who won the NFC North) playing the Packers. Since the Lions finished 4th in the division at 9-8, they are officially in "offseason mode."
It’s a bit of a bummer.
A 9-8 record is usually enough to at least be in the conversation, but the NFC was top-heavy this year. Losing Sam LaPorta to back surgery in November really gutted the red-zone efficiency. He had 20 touchdowns in his first 42 games, and you just don't replace that kind of production with a backup.
Key Stats from the Final Game:
- Jared Goff: 27/42, 331 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.
- Jahmyr Gibbs: 80 rushing yards, 33 receiving yards, 1 TD.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: 11 catches for 139 yards (Tom Brady's LFG Player of the Game).
- Aidan Hutchinson: Recorded a sack to tie for 2nd on the Lions' all-time single-season list (14.5).
What’s Next for the Lions?
Since the season is over, the focus has immediately shifted to the 2026 NFL Draft and some coaching changes. The team actually fired offensive coordinator John Morton on January 6, just two days after the Bears win. Management clearly felt that despite the winning record, the offense stalled too much in the second half of the season.
Brad Holmes is already doing press conferences. He’s looking at the defense—specifically the secondary. D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold are a solid duo, but Reed missed six games with a hamstring issue this year, and that lack of depth really hurt during the December losing streak.
If you're looking for the next time the Lions actually play, you’re looking at the preseason in August 2026. For now, the "score" is 0-0 as everyone resets for the draft.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Draft Order: The Lions are currently slated to pick in the middle of the first round. Keep an eye on cornerback and defensive line prospects.
- Monitor the OC Search: Detroit is hunting for a new offensive play-caller. Whoever they hire will determine if Jared Goff can return to his 2024 form.
- Injury Updates: Follow the rehab of Sam LaPorta; he's expected to be back for training camp, which is the biggest "win" the team could get right now.