The Detroit Lions' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread after a tough loss to the Steelers on Sunday - and head coach Dan Campbell isn’t dodging accountability.
Campbell, who’s been the face of Detroit’s resurgence over the past two seasons, didn’t sugarcoat where things stand. The Lions, once a feel-good story of grit and turnaround, now find themselves in a precarious spot. And Campbell made it clear: if this season falls short, the blame starts with him.
“There’s a lot of errors that have popped up,” Campbell said postgame. “We’ve got some mental errors here or there, or a lack of self-discipline.
And ultimately I put that stuff on me. That’s on me.
There’s no other way to cut it, other than it’s the head coach. So it’s on me, man.”
That kind of ownership isn’t just coach-speak. It’s a reflection of the culture Campbell’s tried to build in Detroit - one rooted in accountability, toughness, and resilience. But even the most resilient teams can get caught in a spiral when execution breaks down, and that’s exactly what’s happened to the Lions in recent weeks.
Mental lapses and discipline issues have plagued Detroit at key moments, and those errors have started to pile up. Whether it’s missed assignments, penalties, or breakdowns in communication, the Lions haven’t looked like the sharp, physical team that took the league by surprise last season.
Now, the margin for error is gone. Detroit’s only shot at the postseason is to win out - both of their remaining games - and hope the Packers drop both of theirs. It’s a narrow path, and it’s out of their control.
But Campbell’s message to his team - and to the fans - is clear: this isn’t about luck or outside help. It’s about cleaning up their own house first.
For a team that’s made a name for itself by defying expectations, this is another gut check moment. The Lions have two games left to show what they’re made of - and whether they’re still the team that made believers out of Detroit.