The Detroit Lions can’t catch a break from swinging between highs and lows. Just after winning their last game, the Lions couldn’t stop quarterback Matthew Stafford from leading the Los Angeles Rams to a 41-34 victory. In the wake of the loss, while quarterback Jared Goff sent a message of belief, head coach Dan Campbell laid down a stark challenge to his team.

Goff directly addressed the team’s mindset

“We still have plenty of stuff in front of us,” he said, via Woodward Sports Network’s post on X. “We do. And we’ve got a great group that can win a championship here. And we know that.”

Despite facing a disappointing loss, Goff spoke openly to the press about the team’s mindset. The message is loud and clear: the Lions haven’t given up, and they still look forward to bringing the Lombardi Trophy home. Further, the veteran thinks his team is “resilient” and will respond strongly in a few weeks. According to him, the Lions just need to stay united and not let outside narratives divide them.

Jared Goff also thinks it’s the perfect moment for captains to play a bigger role by being bold and bringing the energy. For the 31-year-old, “resilience” isn’t just a word but something that the Lions must show on the field a few more times. If any unit can truly take Goff’s message to heart, it’s the defense. The Rams completely dismantled the Lions’ defense during Sunday’s game, piling up 41 points and over 500 total yards.

Whether it was through the air or on the ground, the team could find easy openings to gain yards. Meanwhile, Goff put up ‌tough competition and carried the offense on his shoulders despite a poor run game. He threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns in one of his strongest performances of the season. Still, it wasn’t enough.

With the Lions officially entering must-win territory, the pressure mounts. Yet, head coach Dan Campbell is not letting his locker room give up just yet. He has put forward a new challenge to the Lions instead. 

Campbell challenges Jared Goff’s locker room to respond

The Week 15 defeat pushed the Lions to an 8–6 record and dwindled their postseason hopes. According to ESPN Analytics, the franchise’s playoff chances have dropped to just 36% after the Rams edged them out. But despite the setback, Campbell hasn’t lost his faith and challenges his team to push through the final stretch. 

“It should burn at you, you know? It should eat you up, and do not go numb to the losing,” he said. “You know, what probably the top of the NFC looks like right now, we’re not there right now. Doesn’t mean we can’t be, but now we know what it looks like.”

Further, Campbell knows what to do next to face the loss head-on. He explained that the coaching staff and players will try to fill the gaps by reviewing the game together across all three phases. He wants his team to own the mistakes, fix them, and move forward. As for catching up with the NFC’s top teams, the coach thinks having “firsthand knowledge” is the first step toward reaching their level.

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According to Campbell, the Lions have done some things well, including protecting the football and forcing takeaways. But he admitted the team needs more consistency and must deliver in all four quarters. Now, the Lions turn their focus to the next crucial matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It will be a tough game, given that the Steelers are equally desperate to boost their playoff hopes. With both sides desperate for a win, the Lions will need all units to rise together.