The Detroit Lions have not been doing very well in football for a long time. But now, they are learning how to win under their coach, Dan Campbell. They have not won their part of the league, called the NFC North, in a very long time.
The last time they won was way back in 1993 when it was called the NFC Central. But on Thursday night, they won a big game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field and are now in charge of their part of the league!
The way they won this time, by beating the Packers well in the first half, will make people stop saying the Lions are always the same and not very good, which is something they have been saying for a long time.
“After the game, Coach Campbell said, ‘We have our own rules and goals. One of them is to win against the teams in our group. It is really good if we can win against them, even when we are playing away from home. So we knew that, and this game was important. It’s not the most important thing, but it does matter a lot.’
In other words, in order to win the district championship, they also need to win the conference, so they need to win two games in a row. 3-1 in the quarter. I am really happy with where we are right now.
I am proud of the players, the staff, everyone. I mean, it was outstanding. It was really great to be able to make up for such a short week with such a performance. ”
In Campbell’s first two seasons, the Lions limped out of the gate. They started 2021 with 0 wins, 10 losses, and one draw and got their first win. In 2022, they started 1-6 and finished the season with success, including a win over the Packers in Green Bay.
After last season’s strong performance, there was optimism in Detroit that the Lions could become a top contender in the division. For now, expectations for Campbell’s crew have not yet reached their peak. If Jared Goff isn’t selected in Week 2, there could be talk of an undefeated club.
Goff has been doing a great job for the Lions. He has a good group of players in front of him, and he has been making important throws when we really need them. He is also good at making sure the team does the right things to keep moving forward. Goff said that the Lions are used to people expecting them to do well, and they proved it on Thursday night.
“It feels great. I feel very comfortable,” he said. “I felt like we really dominated the whole game. Well, I think we played about 10 minutes (in the second half).” Other than that, they really dominated the entire match. That’s what we expect.
Lions Became the Sixth Team in NFL History to Win Two Road Games
We have a good team, good offense, good defense, good special teams, good skill players, and good lines on both sides. You should do it when things are going like in the second quarter.
We feel comfortable with it and know who we are. We have to keep doing that. It’s difficult; every week is tough, and the next week is tough, so we have to keep going.”
Fun fact, according to NFL Research: The Lions became the sixth team in NFL history to win two road games in prime time in September. Two of the past five teams have won the Super Bowl (three have advanced to the Super Bowl).
Others: 2015 Broncos (Super Bowl 50 win), 2014 Bears, 2009 Colts (Super Bowl 44 loss), 1995 Cowboys (Super Bowl 30 win), 1995 Packers. These are not your grandfather’s lions. But Goff knows he has a lot of work to do over the course of a long season.
“We still have four games left. We’re leading the division with three wins and one loss, so it feels good,” he said. “But at some point in the season, we’re going to face real adversity. This happens to every team. Knowing when that moment will come, seizing it, and persevering will be our true test.
It will come at some point, and I hope it won’t be too bad, but at some point, something has to be worked out. This is how we discover what is within us. We know what we’re made of, but we have to prove it.
At least one person thinks the NFC North will pass through Detroit: Packers QB Jordan Love. If he thought Detroit was a team to beat, Love answered in the only way possible after Thursday’s attack.
“Yes. Absolutely,” he said. “Thank you. They played really well tonight.” I think we and them came into this game, obviously, we haven’t played the Vikings yet, but every time we play an opponent up north, it’s going to be a big game until the end of the year.
We are happy to play them again next time. We need to improve and try to win. The Lions and Packers will have a rematch on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit in 2023.
