An NFL season is made up of many small moments. While these moments weren’t enough for the Detroit Lions, there were still some games worth celebrating.
Next up on our list of Detroit Pride Awards is Game of the Year. Below are our staff’s nominations for the award, but your vote will determine the winner.
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Previous Awards (Voting is still open!)
2025 Detroit Lions Game of the Year
John Whitticka: Isaac Tesla’s one-handed touchdown against Packers
I have to specify “touchdown” because TeSlaa has a knack for completing catches in as few numbers as possible. However, his first career catch and touchdown was a thing of beauty. An Odell Beckham-like outstretched arm and heel tap while falling out of bounds? A beautiful thing. The only downside is that it happened in the final minute of a crushing Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers — if this had happened in a more competitive game, we’d be talking about it for decades.
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Meco Scott: Jameson Williams’ 37-yard touchdown against Vikings
While things didn’t go well for the Detroit Lions against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9, Jamo’s game was absolutely incredible. It all starts with a stunning pass from Goff, and from there we get to see Williams’ playmaking ability as he sheds his defender and supercharges his way to the goal line. I’m still not sure how Jarmo stayed in bounds on this game, but it was yet another reminder of how special he is and why the Lions chose to re-sign him last offseason.
Jeremy Raisman: Isaac Tesla’s one-handed touchdown against Packers
I hate to pick a play that had no impact on the game and came in garbage time, but just on skill alone, this catch might go down as a top-five catch in Detroit Lions history. For him to do that on his first catch in the league in his NFL debut makes it even more special.
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Al Karsten: Jahmyr Gibbs’ overtime winning TD vs. NYG
Gibbs sealed a surprisingly close battle with the Giants with a 69-yard rushing touchdown in overtime and scored the game-winning score. This game was one of several midseason games where Gibbs showed off his ability to take advantage of even a little bit of sunshine, proving he could be the best player on the floor and break down opposing defenses with his game-changing ability.
Erik Schlitt: Jahmyr Gibbs scores TD in overtime against NYG
The Lions fought back in a game that should have been a big win, but when the game went into overtime and they needed someone to step up, Gibbs got the job done in one game, rushing for 69 yards and no touchdowns over the middle of the field.
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Brandon Knapp: Aidan Hutchinson intercepts Matthew Stafford
It would have been perfect to get a pick six, but Aidan’s interception was still a great play. The fact that he can not only help stop the run and get to the quarterback, but also drop back and steal the ball is impressive. Playing against a former Lions quarterback also made this game even more special.
Ryan Matthews: Jameson Williams’ 37-yard touchdown against Vikings
Jarmo’s acrobatic catch against the Vikings is one of the most ridiculous catches you’ve probably forgotten since the Lions lost that game in the most frustrating way — to J.J. McCarthy. Williams’ adjustment to the ball in the air, the catch itself and his ability to turn and extend himself to the goal line will undoubtedly be some of the highlights of his career.