By Sunday 
If you’ve followed the Detroit Lions for even a minute under Dan Campbell, you know exactly what you’re signing up for — passion, grit, and the occasional “freaking” thrown in for emphasis. And once again, the man didn’t disappoint.
“Alim’s Freaking Playing, Man” — Vintage Campbell at the Mic
When Campbell hopped on 97.1 The Ticket this week, the question about Alim McNeill’s status for Monday night’s home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t hang in the air for long.
“Barring something happening this week, Alim’s freaking playing, man,” he fired back — full of that trademark conviction that makes his players run through walls and his fans nod like proud parents.
That’s vintage Campbell: blunt, passionate, and bursting with belief in his guys. And heading into a primetime matchup that could shape Detroit’s midseason rhythm, that confidence couldn’t come at a better time.
McNeill’s Return: The Boost Detroit’s Defense Needed
The Lions’ defense has quietly been one of the NFL’s most solid units through six games — ninth in total defense, eleventh against the run. But let’s be honest: without Alim McNeill in the middle, something’s been missing.
Detroit’s Week 6 loss to Kansas City told the story. The Chiefs gashed them between the tackles in ways that just don’t happen when McNeill’s in uniform. He’s not just a space-eater — he’s a tone-setter, the kind of defensive anchor who makes everyone else’s job easier.
Now, against a Tampa Bay team ranked 20th in rushing offense, McNeill’s return could flip the script entirely. Expect him to collapse pockets, plug running lanes, and give Aidan Hutchinson a chance to go full beast mode off the edge.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Here’s how the two squads stack up before kickoff:
- Detroit offense: 31.8 points per game (2nd in NFL)
- Tampa Bay offense: 27.5 points per game (6th)
- Detroit total defense: 308.2 YPG (9th)
- Tampa Bay total defense: 319.5 YPG (14th)
Pretty close, right? But add McNeill back into the mix, and Detroit suddenly looks like the better team on both sides of the ball.
Before his injury last year, McNeill was one of the top-graded interior defenders in the league by PFF — elite in both run-stopping and interior pressure. His presence frees up linebackers like Jack Campbell and Alex Anzalone to fly around, and the ripple effect through Kelvin Sheppard’s defense is massive.
A Confident Coach, a United Locker Room
The best part of Campbell’s comment wasn’t the enthusiasm — it was the certainty behind it. He’s not “hopeful.” He’s sure.
That kind of confidence says everything about where this locker room is mentally. Despite the setback in Kansas City, this is a group that still believes it’s destined for big things. Campbell even hinted that by late November, the Lions could be “as healthy as they’ve been all year.”
In other words — the best might still be coming.
Primetime and the Power of Belief
Monday night isn’t just another game. It’s a momentum check, a chance for Detroit to remind everyone that their grit and growth are for real. And at the heart of it all is Dan Campbell, the man who somehow makes “freaking playing” sound like a rally cry.
The Lions have been good. With McNeill back — and with Campbell’s faith pumping through the roster — they might just be great again.