Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions Look Like NFC Contenders Again

First impressions can be powerful and deceiving.

When the Detroit Lions flopped in their season opener against Green Bay, Dan Campbell's revamped coaching staff became the focal point. The offense looked punchless under new coordinator and Ben Johnson's replacement, John Morton. The defense failed to generate a pass rush or make any big plays under Aaron Glenn's replacement, Kelvin Sheppard.

The narrative leading up to the Lions' home opener against Chicago became so prevalent in the media and the team's fan base, Campbell's choice for his lead assistants may as well have changed their names to Mo and Curly.

That all changed last Sunday afternoon. For three hours, the Lions looked just as ferocious as they did during the 2024 regular season, when they rolled to a 15-2 record.

Detroit's issues against the Packers immediately evaporated. Jahmyr Gibbs' lightning quickness was on full display as he racked up 7.8 yards per carry. David Montgomery provided the power element as the dynamic 1-2 punch each scored a touchdown.

Jared Goff's precision passing punctured the Bears secondary to the tune of 334 yards and five touchdowns, three to favorite target Amon Ra St. Brown.

All this occurred with Johnson, the new Bears coach, standing on the opposite sideline while Morton called the shots on the home side. Morton didn't perform a Vulcan mind meld with Johnson prior to the game. It was simply a matter of improved line play.

Facing a difficult opponent on the road, the offensive line failed to open creases for the running backs and give immobile Goff enough time to find his preferred targets. Goff was sacked four times and connected on just one pass that went for more than 20 yards during the opener.

The defense that failed to produce any turnovers or sacks in Green Bay wasn't flawless but it provided enough stops and pressure to get its potent offense back on the field. Star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, playing in his first home game since last season's gruesome leg injury, recorded one of the team's four sacks. Kerby Joseph snared the Lions' first interception of the season and Jack Campbell recovered a fumble by former Lion D'Andre Swift.

A pumped-up Sheppard greeted his players enthusiastically as the game-changing plays piled up. Meanwhile, Glenn's New York Jets remained winless while giving up 30 points at home to Buffalo.

Expect more wild swings in performances and storylines throughout the season. The Lions are destined to lose several more games this season than last due to the sheer force of their schedule.

When Detroit set a franchise record for regular-season victories, it feasted on the likes of Seattle, Tennessee, Jacksonville and Indianapolis.

The payback came in the form a first-place schedule. Their non-division road schedule is daunting, beginning with their Monday night showdown against AFC power Baltimore. Visits to Kansas City, Washington, Philadelphia and Los Angeles (Rams) await.

As long as the Lions' key players — Goff, Gibbs, St. Brown, offensive tackle Penei Sewell, Hutchinson — remain healthy, the Lions rank among the NFC's elite.

Another thing is certain—if things go sour, Morton and Sheppard will receive a large chunk of the blame.