Quick Read
- Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is under pressure as the team fights for a playoff spot.
- Injuries and a struggling run game have derailed Detroit’s momentum after last season’s success.
- The Lions must win their final two games and rely on Green Bay losses to secure postseason entry.
In the NFL, fortunes can shift in the blink of an eye. Just a year ago, the Detroit Lions were riding high—a franchise-record 15 wins, an NFC championship game appearance, and the kind of swagger that made their fans believe the future was bright. But as the final stretch of the 2025 season unfolds, head coach Dan Campbell finds himself at the helm of a team fighting to stay afloat, its playoff hopes dangling by a thread.
The Lions (8-7) have stumbled at the worst possible moment, dropping back-to-back games for the first time in over three years. Their most recent defeat—a late rally that fizzled against the Pittsburgh Steelers—was emblematic of the struggles that have beset Campbell’s squad. “We haven’t had that feeling. It’s creeping in on us now,” quarterback Jared Goff admitted after the loss, capturing the unease that’s settled over Detroit’s locker room.
For Campbell, these setbacks aren’t just numbers on the scoreboard; they’re reminders of how quickly momentum can evaporate in the NFL. The Lions had matched the league’s longest streak of wins after a loss—fifteen straight—joining historic runs by Denver and Baltimore. Now, that resilience is being put to the ultimate test.
What’s gone wrong? The answers are both simple and deeply troubling. Injuries have ravaged Detroit’s defense, with star safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph among three starters placed on injured reserve. The impact was felt acutely against Pittsburgh, where the Lions gave up three separate 45-yard touchdowns, their coverage and tackling coming undone at the worst moments.
But the defensive woes are only half the story. The running game, which powered Detroit’s rise over the past two seasons, has sputtered. The offensive line, once a source of strength, has been battered by departures and injuries. Neither Jahmyr Gibbs nor David Montgomery has recaptured last year’s form, leaving Goff without the play-action options that made him so effective. Last week’s paltry 15 rushing yards—the team’s lowest output since 2016—was a stark indicator: Detroit is 0-6 this season when failing to reach 100 yards on the ground.
“It’s very difficult to control anything if you can’t control the run game,” Campbell acknowledged, his words carrying the weight of a coach who knows the stakes.
The playoff picture remains murky. Detroit needs to win its remaining games—against Minnesota on Thursday and Chicago next week—and hope Green Bay loses both of its final contests (against Baltimore and at Minnesota). It’s a scenario that demands both grit and luck, qualities Campbell has tried to instill in his players since taking the job in 2021. But as the losses mount, the pressure grows, and every decision is magnified.
The upcoming matchup against the Vikings, once billed as a holiday showcase of high-octane offenses, has lost much of its shine. Minnesota (7-8) is already out of playoff contention and turning to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer at quarterback, thanks to injuries that have decimated their depth. Yet, for Detroit, this game is anything but meaningless—a win is essential to keeping postseason dreams alive.
Campbell’s journey with the Lions has always been about changing the narrative. He inherited a team mired in defeat and guided it to new heights. Now, he faces perhaps his toughest challenge: rallying a wounded, weary squad to recapture the spirit that made them contenders. It’s a moment that will define not just the season, but his tenure in Detroit.
As fans wonder whether the Lions can rediscover their magic, Campbell’s leadership stands at the crossroads. The echoes of last year’s triumphs linger, but the urgency of now is unmistakable. For Detroit, and for Dan Campbell, the fight is far from over—but the margin for error has vanished.
Dan Campbell’s tenure in Detroit has been marked by resilience and transformation. As the Lions face mounting injuries and offensive struggles, his ability to galvanize the team will be decisive. The coming weeks will reveal whether Campbell’s leadership can overcome adversity or if Detroit’s hopes will be dashed by the harsh realities of NFL competition. (Associated Press)