The Lions have finally enjoyed some success in recent years after largely being a non-entity for six decades as Dan Campbell serves as the face that restored the roar. A trip to the NFC championship game in 2023 was followed up with a 15-2 campaign last year — though both of those rides ended with backbreaking playoff letdowns. Much was expected from Jared Goff and Co. this season but things have not gone as planned.
After dropping a game they absolutely had to have against the Packers on Thanksgiving, the Lions have essentially another elimination game against the visiting Dallas Cowboys ahead on Thursday Night Football. Lose this one, move to 7-6 and the prospect of making the playoffs gets extremely bleak. Win it, and it remains about a coin-flip.
