Detroit’s late-season slide has exposed a major issue for Dan Campbell’s Lions: they’ve lost the physical edge that once defined them on both offense and defense.

Campbell is well aware that Detroit’s playoff hopes are no longer in their own hands. The Lions must win their remaining games and hope Green Bay loses out for a postseason spot to remain possible. Still, Campbell says the bigger focus is rediscovering who this team is supposed to be and finishing the year the right way.
As he often does, Campbell took responsibility for that missing edge, saying a team’s identity starts with its head coach.

“Everything starts there,” Campbell said Monday. “If you can’t control the run game, it’s almost impossible to control anything else. Passing matters, but when you’re losing up front, it affects everything.”

The numbers back up his concern. Over the last two games, Detroit has managed just 85 rushing yards while allowing nearly 400 yards on the ground and five rushing touchdowns. The offensive line struggled mightily, producing the worst rushing output of Campbell’s tenure. In fact, the Lions’ 15 rushing yards in one of those games marked their lowest total since 2016.

Their next opportunity to correct course comes against Minnesota, a team that dominated Detroit earlier in the season. In that Week 9 matchup, the Vikings repeatedly attacked the Lions’ interior line with aggressive blitzes, overwhelming both pass protection and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs.

Brian Flores’ defense remains the most blitz-heavy unit in the league, sending pressure on over 41% of snaps—far more than any other team. Minnesota features five defenders with at least 25 pressures this season, and in the previous meeting they recorded five sacks, 10 quarterback hits, and constant disruption.

Campbell pointed to self-inflicted mistakes as the difference in that loss.
“We hurt ourselves,” he said. “Penalties, blown assignments, turnovers, even a blocked field goal. Too many things we can’t afford.”
With a road game coming in a loud environment, discipline has become the Lions’ top priority.

Detroit enters the Christmas matchup having lost consecutive games for the first time since 2022, surrendering control of its playoff fate in the process. Defensive adjustments—including more zone coverage and lighter boxes—failed to stop opponents from running at will.
Now, there’s no time to dwell on what went wrong.

The Lions face a must-win game on a short week, and Campbell’s message is direct: reset, recover, and prepare.
“Keep moving forward,” Campbell said. “We’ve got a few days to get healthy, get mentally locked in, and get back to work. Nobody’s going to feel bad for us. We’ve got a plan, and they’ve got to absorb it fast and be ready.”

By the time Thursday arrives, Campbell wants his team prepared in every way—mentally, emotionally, and physically—to show that their identity hasn’t disappeared, even if the odds are stacked against them.