If the Detroit Lions want to keep their postseason hopes alive, everything starts in the trenches.

Over the past few seasons, Detroit’s success has been directly tied to how well its offensive and defensive lines perform. When the Lions fail to pressure quarterbacks or get pushed around against the run, wins are hard to come by. The same principle applies on offense—when blocking breaks down up front, the entire unit suffers.

Now, for the first time since the 2022 campaign, the Lions face a must-win situation. Their playoff chances are slim unless they finish the season without another loss and get help elsewhere in the standings.

Just like that earlier team, this group’s fate over the final three weeks will largely be decided by line play.
The most glaring issue in Week 15 was Detroit’s inability to control the run defensively. Opponents piled up 159 rushing yards, consistently winning at the point of attack. Head coach Dan Campbell pointed to this breakdown as a major factor in the loss.

Campbell explained that both sides of the ball failed to establish physical control, making defensive execution extremely difficult.

He noted how misdirection, motion, and tight end involvement forced defenders out of position and put extra pressure on edge players and cornerbacks. According to Campbell, those small details added up, and similar challenges are expected in upcoming matchups—particularly against teams that pride themselves on physical football.

The numbers back this up. Detroit is 6–1 this season when holding opponents below 100 rushing yards. While stopping the run was once a strength of the team, consistency has been an issue this year, with six games allowing triple-digit rushing totals. If the Lions want to stay alive, tightening things up against the run is non-negotiable.

Offensive Balance Is Just as Important
Despite consistently scoring points, Detroit’s offense hasn’t always dictated the pace of games. A prime example came against the Rams, where the Lions racked up nearly 400 total yards and 34 points but managed only 70 yards on the ground.

That imbalance made it difficult to control time of possession and keep a dangerous Los Angeles offense off the field. A more productive rushing attack could have shortened the game and shifted momentum in what turned into a high-scoring battle.

Campbell has also emphasized that establishing the run would benefit the passing game, giving quarterbacks more protection and easing pressure on the offensive line. In short, a stronger ground game would make the entire offense more efficient and harder to defend.
For Detroit, the message is clear: winning up front—on both sides of the ball—is the key to finishing strong and keeping playoff dreams alive.