What numbers were key factors in the Lions winning 15 games last year on their way to a second straight NFC North division title?
Teams have to start over every year with roster turnover and coaching changes, but here are five numbers the Lions will look to keep rolling into 2025:
1. Number: 98.4
What it means: Average rushing yards allowed per game
NFL rank: 5th
Twentyman: Being stout against the run is a Dan Campbell requirement for his defense. It's about toughness, grit and execution. If a team can consistently and efficiently run the football in this league, everything else opens up for them offensively. Look at Detroit's offense with their play-action passing and trick-play game off their ability to consistently run the football.
Only Baltimore (80.1), Minnesota (93.4), Denver (96.4) and Tampa Bay (97.8) were better defensively against the run than Detroit last year.
This number is going to be so important for new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and Detroit's defense given their schedule this season. The top five rushing offenses in the NFL last year — Baltimore (187.6), Philadelphia (179.3), Washington (154.1), Tampa Bay (149.2) and Green Bay (146.8) — are all on the schedule this season with road games against the Ravens, Eagles, Commanders and Packers. How good this 2025 version of the Lions' defense can be containing the run week in and week out will go a long way in determining the unit's overall success.
View some of the best photos from Detroit Lions offseason workouts, OTAs and rookie minicamp.
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) and Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 8, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) and Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed (4) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein (61) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Ronnie Bell (10) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Erick Hallett (36) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein (61) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39), Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) and Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Mitchell Agude (50) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (12) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 27, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) and Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson (28) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (12) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) and Detroit Lions safety Erick Hallett (36) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Malik Taylor (86) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Marcus Davenport (92) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 24, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Roy Lopez (51) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 27, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 15, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 20, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 14, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running backs coach Tashard Choice during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) and Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) and Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 7, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Keith Cooper Jr. during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 1, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 1, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (9) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 1, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0), Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 7, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
2. Number: 1.7 percent
What it means: Dropped pass percentage
NFL rank: 1st
Twentyman: There's nothing that can derail an offensive drive quicker than penalties, sacks or dropping the football. A few key drops in the NFC Championship Game two years ago contributed to the Lions losing that game against the 49ers.
Of the 406 catchable passes Detroit Lions quarterbacks threw in 2024, Lions' pass catchers dropped a total of seven, the fewest in the NFL. For comparison, the New York Giants led the NFL with 29 drops, and Green Bay's 7.5 drop percentage was the highest in the league. The Packers spent two of their top three picks in this year's NFL Draft on receivers.
It's really an underrated component of this passing attack. Jared Goff is an extremely accurate quarterback. His 72.4 completion percentage was No. 2 in the league last year. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond have outstanding hands, and Jameson Williams has really improved that aspect of his game over the last couple seasons. A low drop percentage also directly correlated to Detroit leading the NFL in yards after the catch last year (2,508).
3. Number: 79.0
What it means: Opponent passer rating inside the 30-yard line
NFL rank: 1st
Twentyman: There are a lot of offenses in this league that are highly efficient at moving the football up-and-down the field. What separates winning from losing a lot of times in the NFL is being able to convert drives into touchdowns and not settling for field goals when nearing or reaching the red zone.
Detroit's pass defense was at another level last season when the field got tighter near their end zone. Just how good was that number for Detroit? New Orleans was second best in the NFL last year limiting an opponent's passer rating inside the 30-yard line at 90.0.
Opposing quarterbacks completed just 59-of-129 passes (45.7 percent) after crossing Detroit's 30-yard line. The 14 passing touchdowns allowed inside the 30-yard line by Detroit's defense were second fewest, and their four interceptions were second most.
This has to continue to be a key component of the Lions' defense, and there's no reason to think it can't be with a returning back seven that features two of the best cover and ball hawking safeties in the NFL, and a front four that will once again feature Aidan Hutchinson.
View behind-the-scenes photos from 2025 Detroit Lions rookie media day on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (78) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson (28) clapping on set during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier (71) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (78) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Kye Robichaux (25) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier (71) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein (61) signing his name during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Team Reporter Dannie Rogers and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) talking during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson (28) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (78) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson (28) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Keith Cooper Jr. (64) taking a photo with a disposable camera of Detroit Lions running back Kye Robichaux (25) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) and Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson (28) making a TikTok during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Keith Cooper Jr. (64) taking a photo with a disposable camera during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James (80) looking at his headshot photo during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (78) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Luke Deal (82) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson (28) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James (80) looking at his headshot photo during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Team Photographer and Assistant Creative Director Jeff Nguyen showing Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein (61) his portrait photo during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Keith Cooper Jr. (64) taking a photo with a disposable camera during the 2025 media day at the Meijer Performance Center on June 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Katie Quinlan/Detroit Lions)
4. Number: 31.4
What it means: Average yards per kickoff return
NFL rank: 2nd
Twentyman: Detroit adopted a strategy last season based off their analytics that, when given the opportunity for a touchback on a kickoff and start at the 30-yard line, the numbers said that decision outweighed the risk of a return. At the end of the year, the average starting spot on returns was around the 29.5-yard line anyways. It's part of the reason why Detroit's 15 kickoff returns were the third fewest in the NFL last year. Only Dallas (32.1) had a higher return average.
It's an important number to think about heading into 2025 after some of the rule changes that passed this offseason — most notably, the move from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line for all touchbacks on kickoffs.
"I would say significantly," Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said this offseason when asked if the rule change will lead to more teams forcing a return rather than giving an offense a starting point of the 35-yard line. "I'm excited about it. It's going to be great, and we're going to get a ton of plays. I think it's going to change quite a bit."
Even if it's four or five kickoffs a game, that's four or five more plays that can impact winning and losing. Detroit is one of the better special teams clubs in the league with Fipp at the helm, and they'll have a good plan on how to maximize those plays both in return and on coverage.
5. Number: 37.4
What it means: Touchdown efficiency rate
NFL rank: 1st
Twentyman: Detroit led the league in scoring last season (33.2 ppg) because they were the top team in the league at finishing drives in the end zone and not settling for field goals. Of Detroit's 182 offensive drives last year, 68 finished with a touchdown and 26 with field goals. Buffalo was second to Detroit in this category at a 35.8 percent touchdown efficiency.
Overall Detroit finished 94 of those 182 drives with points, and that was the top percentage (51.6) in the NFL. The league average was just 38.8 percent.
Detroit may have a new offensive coordinator in John Morton, but he's been around a long time, knows this offense well and the weapons he has to deploy. There's no reason to think Detroit can't once again have one of the more efficient scoring offenses in 2025.
