Just two seasons ago, the Lions were counting their wins on one hand. However, something would change in week 8 of competition of the 2022 season, when the team sported a somewhat decent record of one win and six losses so far this season.
Montgomery and Gibbs
And since then, the team led by Dan Campbell has had 25 wins and only 8 losses in the regular season, which is more wins than 30 of the 31 remaining franchises. Spectacular numbers that are only surpassed by the Kansas City Chiefs, champions of the last two Super Bowls.
The particular press conference that Campbell gave on the day of his presentation as the team’s first coach left us with some glimpses of the reality that the Lions are today: a strong, brave team that endures blows and attacks mercilessly. After handing the Cowboys the worst home defeat in 35 years and stealing undefeated status from the Vikings this past Sunday, Detroit has started the season with five wins and only one loss, like last year, being the first time in the history of the franchise that begins two seasons in a row with 5-1.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff walks off the field after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
A fight against its own history
It is not easy to change the dynamic of a franchise that has included Barry Sanders, considered the best running back of all time, or more recently Matthew Stafford or Calvin Johnson, and which has barely achieved playoff victories.
The Lions had not won the NFC North division for 30 years, and had not managed to win a playoff tie since the 1991 season. That divisional round against the Cowboys in January 1992 was, until this year, the team’s only postseason victory in the Super Bowl era, which begins in 1966.
Detroit turned its history around by winning two playoffs last season before losing to San Francisco in a very tight game in the conference finals. Until then, the team had lost nine in a row in the playoffs.
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs for an eight-yard touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
The Campbell label and the new batch
The coach’s offensive mentality is reflected in data, as the Lions are in the top 4 of all the main offensive categories: points per game, yards per game, touchdowns scored, first downs achieved, passing yards and rushing yards.
In the last four games, the team has achieved more touchdowns (18) than incomplete passes by its quarterback, Jared Goff (16). Some spectacular figures that would not be understood without the courage (or recklessness) of their coach, and since Dan Campbell has led the Lions no one has attempted more fourth down conversions (130) and no one has achieved more (68). The next on the list is Nick Sirianni, coach of the Eagles, who has barely exceeded 90 attempts since 2021. A season in which Campbell showed a declaration of intent, attempting 41 fourth downs (an all-time NFL record). A game idea that Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator, highly valued after last season, perfectly captures.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) talks with Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell after an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Although the recent success of the franchise would not be understood without the stars who were selected in the 2023 draft: Brian Branch, Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta. Proper names that, together with the Hutchinsons, Sewells or Montgomerys, form a fearsome team.
And if we talk about attack, we have to talk about defense. Despite Hutchinson’s own long-term loss after a collision with teammate McNeill, the Lions have only allowed 9 touchdowns so far this season, the second-best mark in the league. Additionally, no running back has passed 100 yards against Aaron Glenn’s defense in more than a year and a half. Brian Branch, safety, is also nominated as one of the favorites for best defender of the year, already adding four interceptions. With all this, the Detroit Lions are a real alternative to the dominance of the Chiefs, and they already dream of climbing to the top of the NFL.
