By Moses Joshua 
Detroit enters Los Angeles as the underdog — and with more than just playoff hopes at stake.
A Must-Win Turns Into a Must-Prove Game
As the Detroit Lions prepare for their Week 15 road showdown with the Los Angeles Rams, the stakes have risen beyond the playoff picture. Yes, Detroit’s postseason odds received new life after a 44–30 win over the Dallas Cowboys, a victory that lifted them to 8–5 and bumped their playoff probability to 52%. And yes, the Lions are still just one game behind the Chicago Bears in the NFC North standings, keeping the race tight and the season meaningful.
But this matchup against the 10–3 Rams carries something deeper — respect.
For the first time in a long time, Detroit walks into a big-stage December game as a sizeable underdog. Oddsmakers have the Rams favored by 5.5 points, and given Los Angeles’ dominance this season, the injuries piling up in Detroit’s secondary, and the fact that this game takes place on the road, the spread isn’t shocking.
Still, for a franchise that spent decades fighting for credibility and only recently became a team opponents fear, the underdog label hits differently now. And a win in L.A. would serve as a loud statement that the Lions are not fading — they’re fighting.
Respect Is on the Line
For years, the Lions were the NFL’s perennial long shot, overlooked before kickoff even began. But under Dan Campbell, that image changed. The Lions became bullies instead of being bullied. They became favorites instead of afterthoughts.
This week, however, the narrative shifts. Injuries such as Brian Branch’s season-ending Achilles tear have weakened the roster, and the Lions’ road environment only adds to the challenge. The Rams, meanwhile, sit atop the NFC West and have been one of the most explosive, efficient teams all season.
And yet… the matchup might not be as lopsided as it looks.
Fox Sports Analyst Sees an Opportunity for Detroit
According to Will Hill of Fox Sports, Detroit has more than just a puncher’s chance.
Hill argues that the Rams — while dominant — have benefited from a softer portion of their schedule, making Sunday’s matchup their biggest test in weeks.
“The Rams now face the Lions, who lead the NFL in yards per play and points, averaging over 30 per game,”
“The Rams are the rightful favorite to win it all come February, but a skeptic can make the case they’ve feasted on a soft schedule that includes the Saints, Titans and the Ravens without Lamar Jackson, and haven’t been tested by elite offenses. That will change Sunday against the high-powered Lions, who will come in off extra rest, having not played since Thursday.”
Hill adds that Dan Campbell is the exact type of coach who thrives in moments like this:
“I expect Lions’ coach Dan Campbell and his team to embrace the underdog role, be ultra-aggressive on fourth down, and go toe-to-toe with the first-place Rams.”
He notes that while “the Rams look like the best team in the NFL,” they’re “certainly not unbeatable,” pointing to their recent 31-point defensive collapse against the Panthers.
Detroit vs. Everybody — Again
So yes, the Lions are underdogs. And yes, the Rams are the NFC’s top seed with a red-hot offense and a veteran quarterback who knows Detroit all too well.
But this game is about more than playoff positioning. It’s about pride, perception, and proving that Detroit — battered roster and all — still belongs among the conference’s contenders.
The Lions don’t shy away from being doubted. They’ve lived in this space for decades. And if they want to reclaim their standing as one of the NFL’s toughest outs, Sunday in Los Angeles is the moment to show it.
Because for Dan Campbell and his team, the road to the postseason now runs through respect — and the chance to remind the league what Detroit vs. Everybody really means.