By Sunday 
The Detroit Lions didn’t just beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football — they sent a message.
With a 24–9 victory in Week 7, Detroit looked every bit like an NFC powerhouse. But if you ask head coach Dan Campbell, this was only the beginning.
“We’re Only Getting Better” — Campbell’s Confident Update
After the win, Campbell addressed the media with that familiar mix of grit and optimism Lions fans have come to love.
“Good news is, we’re gonna get a lot of players back… that’s encouraging. While we’re only getting better and better, we’re gonna get some of our players back, too,”
— Dan Campbell, via The Detroit News’ Nolan Bianchi
The Lions’ defense held Baker Mayfield and the Bucs to just nine points — their lowest output in weeks — despite being seriously banged up. Four defensive starters missed the game, and yet Detroit’s depth didn’t just hold the line; it dominated.
The Reinforcements Are Coming
That’s where Campbell’s excitement really shines. Detroit is winning shorthanded, but reinforcements are on the horizon:
- Alim McNeill, fresh off injured reserve, made his 2025 debut and immediately bolstered the defensive line. His return adds muscle inside and helps open lanes for Aidan Hutchinson to keep terrorizing quarterbacks.
- Marcus Davenport is expected back after the Week 8 bye. The veteran pass rusher has been sidelined since Week 3 with a pectoral strain, and his return should make Detroit’s front seven downright scary.
- In the secondary, Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (suspension) are both on track to rejoin the lineup soon. Branch, who served a one-game ban after his post-Chiefs scuffle, will bring back the swagger Detroit’s defense thrives on.
- And perhaps most excitingly, Terrion Arnold — the rookie corner who flashed elite potential before a shoulder injury — could return as early as Week 9 against the Vikings.
Defense Defines the New Detroit
Tampa Bay came into the game averaging 30 points per contest, but the Lions’ defense slammed that door shut. They limited the Bucs to just 251 total yards, including a suffocating 57 rushing yards.
That’s the kind of defensive statement that echoes — especially considering who wasn’t on the field. Campbell’s unit has built an identity on toughness, depth, and trust.
Eyes on the Next Step
At 5–2, Detroit heads into its bye week sitting atop the NFC North — and with a locker room buzzing with confidence. The best part? According to Campbell, the Lions haven’t even peaked.
If the players returning from injury blend back into this already dominant formula, the Lions might just roar louder than ever down the stretch.
Detroit’s win wasn’t just about scoreboard dominance — it was a glimpse at how dangerous this team can become when it’s whole again.
The message from Dan Campbell was simple: The Lions aren’t done growing. They’re only getting better.