Detroit HC Dan Campbell says Lions are taking ‘the hard road’ after last season’s playoff flameout
The Detroit Lions survived a scare on Sunday afternoon against the New York Giants, fighting their way back from a double-digit deficit and seizing a 34-27 overtime victory at Ford Field in Detroit.
Thanks to the win, the Lions improved their record to 7-4 with a key divisional matchup against the Green Bay Packers looming later this week on Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, the Giants’ rough season continued, as they are now 2-10.
For the Lions, they aren’t enjoying the kind of dominance that they displayed last season, which saw them win 15 of their 17 games until their campaign was halted with a stunning postseason loss to the Washington Commanders.
According to head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions are content with taking the hard road to victories compared to their easier path they had last season.
“You can say what you want about yesterday,” Campbell said via DetroitFootball.net. “At the end of the day, the best thing that happened was that we did complement each other. …It’s like you take it the way it comes, and you just try to improve along the way. And you just never know.
“I mean 15-2 felt great last year until you get booted right out,” Campbell said. “Then it’s like maybe we’ve got to go the hard road and just win. Let’s just win and find a way every week and grind it out.”
The Lions will kick off against the Packers at Ford Field on Thursday, starting at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Dan Campbell recently took over play-calling duties
Campbell recently took over the play-calling duties from offensive coordinator John Morton this month after Detroit struggled to put together consistent performances.
Former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson departed to accept the head coaching position with the division rival Chicago Bears, and was replaced by Morton. While Morton isn’t calling the offensive plays for now, he remains on the staff and has been spoken of positively by Campbell, who values his input.
Johnson wasn’t the only coordinator the Lions lost during the offseason, as former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn accepted the head coaching position with the New York Jets.
NFC Playoff Picture after Week 12
- Los Angeles Rams (9-2)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-3)
- Chicago Bears (8-3)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5)
- Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
- Green Bay Packers (7-3-1)
- San Francisco 49ers (8-4)
So there you go. If the season ended today, the Lions would be just on the outside. Now they go into an extremely important Week 13. If they can beat the Packers on Thursday and the Eagles beat the Bears on Black Friday, they'll go into the weekend in first place in the NFC North and with the third seed in the NFC, and the Panthers' loss won't even matter. From there, both the Bears and Packers have a hard road, in which they have to play each other twice. The Packers also have to take on the red-hot Broncos and the red-hot Ravens. The Bears have to face the Lions and the 49ers, too. Still plenty of season left.
Maxx Crosby Vows: 'This Loss Won’t Define Us—Raider Nation, We’ll Rise Again'
Following another tough loss for the Las Vegas Raiders, star defensive lineman Maxx Crosby made a powerful statement to both his teammates and Raider Nation. Despite the 24‑10 defeat to the Cleveland Browns, Crosby’s message was one of resilience and determination. “This loss hurts, but it’s just another test. We’re not going to let this define us. The adversity we face will only make us stronger. We’ll rise again. Raider Nation, we’re not backing down,” Crosby declared in the post‑game interview.
The Raiders’ season has been a rollercoaster ride, with many highs and frustrating lows. After dropping to a 2‑9 record, it would be easy for the team to become discouraged. However, Crosby’s leadership continues to inspire his teammates, as he remains resolute in his belief that the team’s best days are still ahead. His words reflect the heart and fight that Raider Nation has always been known for, and his unwavering belief in the team is a reminder that setbacks are simply opportunities for growth.
Despite the loss, Crosby’s focus remains on the bigger picture. He acknowledged that the team’s struggles are part of the process of building something special. “It’s not about one game, it’s about what we do next. We’ve got the talent, the heart, and the drive to bounce back. This team is not done fighting, not by a long shot,” Crosby continued. “We’ll take this loss, learn from it, and come back stronger. That’s what Raider Nation expects from us, and that’s what we’re going to deliver.”
Crosby’s words are a clear reflection of the culture he’s helped build in the locker room: one of accountability, resilience, and determination. The defensive lineman has become a leader on and off the field, providing not just a physical presence, but an emotional anchor for a team that needs to stay focused through the tough times. His leadership is vital, especially as the Raiders push through a challenging season with playoff hopes still alive.
The road ahead won’t be easy for the Raiders, but with players like Crosby leading the way, the team’s resilience will continue to be its greatest strength. Crosby’s confidence in the team’s ability to rebound from adversity is contagious, and his belief that this loss won’t define them will undoubtedly fuel the Raiders as they look to finish the season strong.
“Raider Nation has always been about fighting to the end,” Crosby concluded. “We’re not going to let one setback define us. We’ll rise again, and we’ll come back stronger than ever.”
As the Raiders look to rebuild, it’s clear that with leaders like Maxx Crosby in their corner, they are far from finished. The fight continues, and Raider Nation has plenty of reasons to believe that better days are on the horizon.
