The Lions went an incredible 15-2 during the regular season and beat the Minnesota Vikings in the final game of the regular season to lock up the NFC North and the 1-seed, but when push came to shove, the Lions folded like a cheap suit and were dismantled by the 6-seed Washington Commanders, losing 45-31 on their home field.

It seemed like the litany of injuries that the team suffered throughout the year caught up to them at the worst possible time, as the Lions desperately needed Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill’s pass rush and Carlton Davis III’s man coverage and many of the other players they were missing.

There’s no doubt about it that Brad Holmes and the Lions’ front office built a spectacular roster, especially considering the team was able to win 15 games despite losing double digit guys on defense to injuries, but now all the questions will be about how the team can get better.

The Lions did not mortgage their future to try and win the Super Bowl this season, so they will have nearly the full assortment of picks to try and improve their roster.