logo
Dan Campbell: Detroit Lions 2025 schedule is 'the right kind of brutal'

Dan Campbell: Detroit Lions 2025 schedule is 'the right kind of brutal'

Yahoo30-05-2025
The Detroit Lions have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL this fall, and that's just fine by coach Dan Campbell.
Campbell said before the Lions' third practice of organized team activities that he welcomes the Lions' grueling 2025 schedule as a way to prepare the team for the playoffs.
Advertisement
The Lions went a franchise-record 15-2 last season and lost their playoff opener to the Washington Commanders.
"I love the schedule we have this year because this is the type of schedule that builds you for the postseason," Campbell said. "Like, man, you better be on it. And we're going to get tested early and often and all year long, and it's fricking awesome. It's really how you want it. So we'll be ready to go when the time's right."
ANALYSIS: Lions open OTAs as position battles loom
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches practice during rookie mini camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, May 9, 2025.
The Lions are tied with the Chicago Bears for the second-toughest strength of schedule, based on last year's win percentage.
Advertisement
They play 11 games against 2025 playoff teams, including home-and-away series with division rivals the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. The Lions, like all NFC teams, play nine road and eight home games this fall, and all of their road games are against playoff contenders and in national television windows.
The Lions visit the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, along with the Packers, Bears and Vikings.
ANALYSIS: Lions 2025 schedule predictions: Game-by-game picks, final record
"It's awesome, man," Campbell said. "I mean, to me, by the end of the year we ought to be just scarred up. We should be scarred up and ready to go, hardened for battle and ready for the playoffs. And there'll be nothing easy about it. You still, just to get through our own division is going to be brutal, but it's the right kind of brutal."
Advertisement
Dave Birkett is the author of the book, "Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline." Order your copy here. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dan Campbell: Detroit Lions schedule 'the right kind of brutal'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Momentous for sport': Rugby star praised for withdrawing from team due to concussion symptoms
‘Momentous for sport': Rugby star praised for withdrawing from team due to concussion symptoms

New York Times

time26 minutes ago

  • New York Times

‘Momentous for sport': Rugby star praised for withdrawing from team due to concussion symptoms

Irish rugby star Garry Ringrose has been praised after he withdrew from the British and Irish Lions squad for Saturday's second test against Australia after experiencing concussion symptoms. The 30-year-old had initially been selected in the starting lineup but approached head coach Andy Farrell on Thursday to report his symptoms. Advertisement Ringrose has 67 Ireland caps but he is making his first tour appearance with the Lions, a team comprising players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The tours take place every four years and rotate between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. A concussion caused Ringrose to miss Saturday's 27-19 win over Australia. The centre returned on Tuesday in the 24-19 over the First Nations and Pasifika XV (a team made up of players of First Nations, Maori and Pacific Island heritage), coming on as a substitute in the 65th minute. Farrell said on Thursday that Ringrose had been picked to start on Saturday but after training, he withdrew from selection due to persistent effects from the concussion. Huw Jones will now partner Bundee Aki in midfield. 'It's head-related again, so I actually don't know at this stage (what's happened),' Farrell said at a press conference. 'It was literally as I was walking off the field, he came to me, and once it's mentioned, that's that. 'There was no incident, he was feeling good well in advance of Tuesday, fit and ready to play. No incident through the game at all, nothing yesterday and nothing this morning at all. 'But with these things, players are getting very good at telling the truth of how they feel. So it was a no-brainer to make the change straight away.' Lions captain Maro Itoje called Ringrose's actions 'selfless', with Farrell adding: 'It was very big of him and the right thing to do, 100 per cent. For the team as well, not just for Garry.' Headway, the brain injury charity, described Ringrose's decision as 'momentous for sport'. 'By flagging the ongoing effects of his brain injury, he has put the team first by stepping aside — allowing a fully-fit team-mate to take his place in one of the most high-stakes matches of the tour,' the charity said in a statement on Thursday. Advertisement 'By recognising the risks of playing while concussed, Ringrose has rightly prioritised his own health. In doing so, he is also setting an incredible example to other sportspeople at all levels. 'His act shows how far sport has come in understanding the short- and long-term implications of not treating concussion — or brain injury — with respect. 'It also highlights how difficult it is for medics to accurately assess players for the concussion — both in the immediate aftermath of a collision, and then the lingering effects, which can last for months. 'It takes players to be open and honest, admitting when they do not feel right. It takes incredible bravery, but it's a decision that could make such a difference to his long-term health.' Luke Griggs, chief executive of Headway, added: 'Garry's decision is incredibly brave. It's also selfless and potentially transformative in the way sportspeople at all levels consider brain injury. 'In doing so, not only has he protected himself from a potentially much more serious brain injury, but he's also set an incredible example for others. 'Looking after yourself and looking after your team are not mutually exclusive. No concussed player will be an effective team-mate, and no game is more important than your long-term health.' World Rugby launched a brain health campaign in November 2021 'to educate and support current and former elite players who might be concerned about their wellbeing and brain health'. Former France international Sebastien Chabal said this year that he cannot 'remember a single second' of his career. Now 47, Chabal appeared 62 times for France between 2000 and 2011, helping them win the 2007 Six Nations Championship.

Detroit Lions offensive line is a work in progress a year after being among NFL's best
Detroit Lions offensive line is a work in progress a year after being among NFL's best

Hamilton Spectator

timean hour ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Detroit Lions offensive line is a work in progress a year after being among NFL's best

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions had one of the NFL's best offensive lines last season. This year is more of a work in progress. Center Frank Ragnow's retirement and the loss of right guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency have opened up competition for at least two new starters. Graham Glasgow, who started at left guard last season and has experience at center, along with rookie Tate Ratledge are getting reps at center through four days of training camp. And then there's the banged-up veteran Taylor Decker at left tackle. 'It's been great. Tate, I thought, was doing a good job. Graham was in there today and I've been comfortable with Graham for quite some time,'' Lions quarterback Jared Goff said on Thursday. 'Whoever it ends up being I'll be good with.'' After Ratledge saw the bulk of center reps the first three days of camp, Glasgow took the center snaps Thursday. Ratledge played only guard at Georgia except for a few practice snaps at center. So he's adjusting to the NFL game and to playing a new position. 'I think just the speed of everything happening. At guard you have a little bit of a delay being off the ball and then, of course, you get up here and you're going against quicker guys,'' Ratledge said. He has no preference for guard or center. 'I enjoy football, it doesn't matter where I am on the field,'' said Ratledge, a second-round pick who sports a John Wayne tattoo on his left bicep. Coach Dan Campbell said earlier in the week that he will keep his eye on the offensive line. '(Ratledge is) getting it all at once. It's everything, it is. It's the mental and it's the technique of it. So, yeah, look we're putting a lot on him,'' Campbell said. 'He's drinking out of a fire hose right now. But there are things that we saw with him in college at Georgia that we felt like, 'You know what? We think this guy can play center.'' Decker remains sidelined while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, but is expected to join the team after the Hall of Fame game on July 31. He's been on the sidelines at camp daily. 'The standard is the standard. We're expected to be one of the top offensive lines in the league,'' Decker said. 'You lose big pieces, but we've put those expectations on ourselves and put ourselves in a position where we're expected to perform a certain way and it doesn't matter.'' Pro Bowl right tackle Penei Sewell is healthy and practicing daily. Christian Mahogany has been a sort of utility lineman for the Lions the past couple of years. He played in seven games in 2024 and started two, including a playoff game. Kayode Awosika, who started 11 games at guard in 2024, will also contend for a starting guard spot. NOTES: Lions LB Alex Anzalone, who has not participated in camp, was on the sidelines again Thursday in street clothes. He told reporters earlier in the week that he is disappointed the Lions have not signed him to a contract extension. INJURIES: LB Derrick Barnes (hand) and CB Terrion Arnold (leg) left practice early to be evaluated further for their injuries. … CB Ennis Rakestraw (chest) was working on the sidelines but has not practiced since he was injured on Sunday. He's expected to return within days. ___ AP NFL:

Girl, 13, in hospital after being pulled from sea
Girl, 13, in hospital after being pulled from sea

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Girl, 13, in hospital after being pulled from sea

A 13-year-old girl has been airlifted to hospital after getting into difficulty in the North Sea. Tynemouth RNLI was among the rescuers called to the south end of Whitley Bay beach in North Tyneside at about 16:20 BST. Stuart Crozier, who took the call from the coastguard, said a crew of six attended the scene but he understood the girl had already been recovered from the water by two shore-based lifeguards. The Great North Air Ambulance Service arrived on the scene at 17:06 and worked with other emergency services to treat the teenager before transporting her to hospital. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Related internet links Great North Air Ambulance Service Tynemouth RNLI

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store