Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell smiles on the sideline during the first half of the NFL Divisional Round game on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit. The Washington Commanders defeated the Detroit Lions 45-31. Jake May | MLive.com

Here are my thoughts on why the Lions are not playing in Super Bowl 59. It's true. The injuries along the defense were piling up. What made it challenging for the front office to take a big swing at the deadline was the team was still competing and winning games.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will compete in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9, and each team has several players with ties to either the Detroit Lions or Michigan.

Lions fans have watched the Super Bowl as outsiders for nearly 60 years now. But there is a lingering sting that comes with this weekend this time around.

Aug 28, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubiski (10) is brought down by Detroit Lions defensive linemen Charles Harris (53) and Aidan Hutchinson (97) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

No team with a returning coach and two new coordinators has won a Super Bowl since the 2009 New Orleans Saints

Four ex-Lions players are currently on the rosters of the teams that will appear in Super Bowl 59 from New Orleans, Louisiana.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown said Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show as well as thegame was whack.