The Detroit Lions faced off against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, November 16, in a game with high stakes—but it wasn’t their night. The Eagles emerged victorious in a low-scoring 16-9 contest, leaving Dan Campbell’s offensive decisions under scrutiny.
Detroit had opportunities to seize control, but mistakes piled up throughout the game. Quarterback Jared Goff, who usually posts some of the NFL’s top statistics, struggled immensely, recording the lowest completion rate of his career, according to league data. Despite throwing for 255 yards, Goff connected on just 38% of his passes and finished with a passer rating of 60.1. While he certainly bore some responsibility, play-calling wasn’t in his hands.
Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery also had a tough outing, though Gibbs stood out with five catches totaling 107 yards. On defense, the Lions managed to contain the Eagles somewhat, with Aidan Hutchinson logging four tackles and half a sack.
According to The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy, Detroit’s defeat significantly diminishes their chances of repeating as NFC No. 1, a feat they achieved in 2024. Adding salt to the wound, former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson delivered an indirect jab.
The following day, November 17, the Chicago Bears, led by Johnson, claimed the top spot in the NFC North with a 19-17 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. That win boosted their record to 7-3, while the Lions sit at 6-4, now third in the division behind the Packers, who are 6-3-1. Johnson and the Bears’ quiet ascent to the top sends a clear signal to Detroit: they’ll need to sharpen up for the January 4, 2026 rematch, with little downtime after the season’s bye weeks.
Pouncy further noted, “The Lions, at 6-4, find themselves trailing in the NFC North and barely in playoff contention. This isn’t the position they anticipated after 11 weeks, and losing to a conference contender has all but ended hopes of a first-round bye.”
A Silver Lining for Detroit
Despite the tough night, there were bright spots. The Lions’ linebackers delivered strong performances, with Jack Campbell recording 15 tackles, including one for a loss, and Alex Anzalone making a standout play in tandem with Eagles tight end Kyle Granson.
Looking ahead, Dan Campbell assumed play-calling duties from offensive coordinator John Morton for this matchup, just as he did in the November 9 game against the Washington Commanders. Campbell has stated he plans to continue in this role for the remainder of the season. Yet, based on the Eagles game, many argue he may need to reconsider, as success against a weaker opponent doesn’t necessarily translate to games against top-tier teams.
