Lions given yet another impressive designation from ESPN ahead of 2025 season
The Detroit Lions have one of the more exciting teams in the NFL, and their hard work building a roster that can command respect and attention has been nothing short of amazing.
Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have helped turn a long-standing laughing stock into one of the most compelling teams in the league, and plenty have taken notice. A season after winning 15 games, the Lions again look primed to be an exciting watch.
Not only does their franchise have personality, but their team is exciting. From Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery to Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown, explosive plays lurk around every corner on offense. Defensively, Aidan Hutchinson is a star, and Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch pack a punch.
All of this adds up to one of the most exciting teams in the league to witness. ESPN's Ben Solak ranked every team in the league by watchability in 2025, and the Lions landed in the No. 3 position.
As Solak explained, Campbell and his propensity to gamble on fourth down also plays a big role in Detroit's high designation as an exciting team.
"Then there is coach Dan Campbell, who is perhaps the most watchable head coach in the league. The Lions went for 33 fourth downs last season, including 45.6% on the opponent's side of the field. In 2023? It was 48.4%, the highest rate since at least 2001. Punts and field goals would top the list of least watchable plays, and Campbell is here to eliminate them from the game."
The only teams ahead of the Lions? The Washington Commanders, a team that won a thrilling playoff game in Detroit last year and the Baltimore Ravens. Each team is on the Lions' 2025 schedule, meaning the opportunity exists for some very exciting head-to-head football this season.
Lions have become one of the NFL's most exciting teams very quickly
It wasn't long ago that nobody wanted to watch a Lions game. The franchise was struggling, and on the bottom of the pile annually. From 1999-2021, there's no question they would likely be occupying the bottom of such a league list.
Prior to that, Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders at least made the Lions an exciting watch in the 1990s, but the franchise was stuck in neutral in terms of playoff and regular season success. The same was true with Calvin Johnson at wide receiver from. 2008-2015. While Detroit had an exciting player, their team was certainly lacking.
Now, though, the Lions have become darlings of the league. They have gone from a team lacking primetime love to one of the most popular watches Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football can offer.
Many casual fans were drawn to the Lions during HBO's "Hard Knocks" series, and have gravitated toward Campbell and other team personalities for their unique attitudes. Given Detroit's long title drought, the Lions have become a chic candidate for a new "America's Team," and have endeared themselves to fans.
Once again, it seems the Lions will be on top of everybody's personal watch list this coming season. It represents yet another "pinch me" moment for the fanbase.
