Lions Make Announcement After NFL Finalizes Week 18 Schedule

Detroit, Michigan – December 2025

The Detroit Lions have officially received confirmation on how their 2025 regular season will come to a close, and while the playoff picture is already decided for Detroit, the spotlight around their finale has not faded. The NFL has finalized the Week 18 schedule, placing the Lions’ final game against the Chicago Bears in a nationally televised late-afternoon window — a decision that underscores the rivalry, the narratives, and the stakes that still surround both teams.

Detroit will travel to Soldier Field to face Chicago at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the game broadcast on FOX. The announcement comes after the Lions were officially eliminated from playoff contention following their loss to the Minnesota Vikings, sending Detroit into an offseason filled with questions, evaluations, and looming roster decisions. Even without postseason implications, the finale carries significant meaning.

For the Bears, Week 18 represents a chance to sharpen their edge before the playoffs. Chicago has already clinched the NFC North and will host a Wild Card game, but the matchup against Detroit still matters. Division games at Soldier Field rarely feel routine, and Chicago understands that closing the regular season with authority can set the tone for January football.

The NFL initially left all Week 18 kickoff times listed as “to be determined,” preserving flexibility to prioritize games with playoff impact. While Lions–Bears no longer affects postseason qualification, the league still identified it as a matchup worthy of national attention — driven by divisional familiarity, coaching storylines, and the broader NFC context.

This game also brings renewed focus to the sideline matchup between Lions head coach Dan Campbell and Bears head coach Ben Johnson. The two know each other well, with Johnson having spent three seasons as Detroit’s offensive coordinator before taking over in Chicago. Campbell’s Lions dominated the first meeting this season, a 52–14 win at Ford Field, adding another layer of intrigue to the rematch.

For Detroit, Week 18 is about more than the standings. A victory would complete a season sweep of Chicago and deliver a fourth consecutive winning season — a meaningful benchmark for a franchise navigating disappointment but still building toward long-term stability. It may also serve as a final statement for veterans whose futures with the team remain uncertain.

While the regular season ends Sunday evening at Soldier Field, the implications extend far beyond one final whistle. For the Bears, it’s a tune-up before the playoffs. For the Lions, it’s a moment of reflection, pride, and evaluation — and the NFL’s scheduling decision ensures that the entire country will be watching how Detroit chooses to close the book on its 2025 season.