The Detroit Lions currently occupy the final NFC Wild Card spot with a 5-3 record heading into Week 10, after suffering their third loss of the season against the Minnesota Vikings. The setback brings them level with their total losses from last year’s 15-2 campaign, when they earned the top seed in the NFC.
Expectations have shifted dramatically since that dominant 2024 season, but head coach Dan Campbell remains upbeat. Speaking after the loss, Campbell offered a surprising perspective on why he views the current situation as a positive one.
“It feels kind of nice to fly under the radar again,” Campbell said Friday. “That’s fine with me. There are other teams playing great football, and we’re just over here working on getting things right. It’s good for us—it keeps us grounded and focused.”
Campbell had warned his players before the season that increased success would bring heavier scrutiny. Now, a few losses have triggered louder criticism than in years past, when the Lions were still viewed as an up-and-coming team.
He isn’t surprised by the reaction, knowing that expectations soared after last season’s breakthrough. When the 2025 schedule came out, many analysts predicted Detroit wouldn’t match its 2024 record, even if they still projected another playoff run.
While the Lions’ win total may decline, Campbell sees growth in other areas. The team made several key defensive improvements that could strengthen their playoff push. He insists the current record doesn’t signal a step backward but rather a process of becoming more complete and battle-tested.
The offseason brought change on offense too, with Ben Johnson’s exit and John Morton’s arrival as offensive coordinator. Despite the external doubts that followed, Campbell views it as a chance to restore the same hunger and focus that built the team’s identity.
As the Lions head toward the final stretch of the season, Campbell’s message is clear: the team is embracing its underdog mindset again, ready to refine its edge and surge when it matters most.
