As the Detroit Lions enter the final stretch of the regular season, the stakes have risen beyond simply responding well to setbacks. With only three games left and playoff implications growing heavier by the week, quarterback Jared Goff made it clear that resilience alone will no longer be enough.

Detroit’s ability to rebound after losses has become a familiar storyline this year. The Lions have routinely answered defeat with strong performances, earning praise for their mental toughness. But during his Wednesday media session, Goff acknowledged that this reputation, while positive, doesn’t fully reflect where the team wants to go.

“If we want people to stop talking about us that way, we’ve got to start putting wins together,” Goff said. “It starts this week, but it can’t end there.”

That mindset signals a subtle but important shift. Under head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions have built their culture on grit and response. Now, as the season reaches its most critical point, the focus is turning toward sustained success — the kind that defines legitimate contenders.

With a matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers looming and postseason positioning hanging in the balance, Goff views the moment as a measuring stick for the entire organization.

“This is when you really learn who you are,” he said. “Our character — players and coaches alike — shows up when things get hard.”

Despite the pressure, Goff’s tone suggested calm assurance rather than anxiety. He acknowledged that adversity reveals the truth about a team, but he also made it clear that he already trusts what Detroit has built.

“I know who we are,” Goff said. “And because of that, I know what I expect.”

When asked whether the remaining games qualify as must-win situations, his answer was immediate and direct.

“Yeah. They have to be,” he said. “That’s the reality. We need all three to give ourselves the best chance.”

The repeated emphasis on building momentum underscores a broader evolution within the locker room. Detroit has shown it can respond to punches. Now, the challenge is proving it can stay on the attack — delivering consistent performances week after week instead of alternating highs and lows.

The opportunity is still there. Despite a season defined by swings between impressive victories and frustrating defeats, the Lions remain in control of their path. Everything they hope to accomplish is still achievable, but only if they turn short-term recovery into long-term dominance.

Over the next three weeks, the results will determine far more than playoff seeding. They will reveal whether this Lions team is ready to move beyond being competitive — and take the final step toward becoming a force.