Lions, Pistons, Red Wings, Tigers—The Motor City’s Sports Renaissance Is Here

Jared Goff is making a name for himself and making the Detroit Lions a serious contender in the NFL postseason, especially as the Lions take on the Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the Super Bowl tournament on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Ford Field. Goff and the Lions' successes this year are also sparking a renaissance in pro sports across the Motor City, with the Pistons, Red Wings, and Tigers turning the tables.

Writing for the Detroit Metro Times, Joe Lapointe said, "This is as welcome as it is unexpected after a decade of all four franchises wandering in the wilderness." 

Pistons guard Cade Cunningham has helped his team advance from the worst team in the National Basketball Association (NBA) to a dynamic force to be reckoned with while eyeing postseason potential. The Pistons won by 124 points over Toronto at the LCA on Saturday, Jan. 11, improving to six wins in their previous seven games and nine of their last 11.

The Red Wings also feel the Motor City's sports momentum, winning their seventh consecutive game on Sunday, Jan. 12, over Seattle at home. Thanks to team leaders like Mo Seider and Simon Edvinsson on defense and Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin on the forward lines, the Red Wings are making gains. New head coach Todd McLellan is adding to the upswell, but the team still has a way to go before making the tournament playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Tigers will start the season fresh off their 31-11 leap in the last quarter of 2024, which brought the team into the second round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs. The Tigers, however, will need to fill essential positions behind pitcher Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal. Questions also surround first baseman Spencer Torkelson's return and shortstop Javier Baez, who is recovering from hip surgery.

It remains to be seen how long this pro sports revival will continue for Detroit.