By Sunday 
The Detroit Lions walked out of Week 14 with a statement win, a 44–30 thumping of the Dallas Cowboys that instantly rebooted the conversation around their playoff hopes. But this wasn’t just another win. This was the Dan Campbell Effect in full display — and the power rankings across the NFL finally had no choice but to take note.
Let’s unpack how the Lions climbed back into the top 10, why writers are still hesitant to hand them their crown, and what Detroit must navigate over the next few weeks.
Campbell Calling the Shots—and It Shows
Somewhere around Week 10, Dan Campbell quietly took over offensive play-calling from OC John Morton — and the difference has been impossible to miss.
Detroit now leads the NFL in scoring at 30.3 points per game, and they’ve hit 40+ points three times this season, tying for the league lead. Since the 2023 season, they’ve done it twelve times. This isn’t an offense that can explode. It’s one that’s built to.
Eric Woodyard described the Campbell shift as a move born from the offense losing some of the fluidity it had under Ben Johnson in 2024. But the new rhythm? It works. And it’s allowing Detroit’s playmakers — especially names like Jahmyr Gibbs, who many now call the league’s premier running back — to run absolutely wild.
The Rankings Love Detroit… With a Side of Suspicion
Most power rankings now place Detroit anywhere from No. 8 to No. 11, with some writers giving full credit to the resurgence of an explosive offense. Still, there’s hesitation to go all-in on Detroit as a true contender.
Why? Because the Lions are still struggling to do the one thing that screams “Super Bowl ready”: stack wins.
Frank Schwab put it bluntly — Detroit hasn’t won back-to-back games in over two months. Their win-loss pattern since October looks like a perfect checkerboard: win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win.
Yes, they can beat anyone.
But they can also look mortal at inconvenient times.
The Weather: Detroit’s Silent Opponent
Another recurring concern from analysts: cold-weather games.
The Lions are simply not the same team outdoors in the cold, and Jared Goff’s numbers drop significantly when the temperature falls below 50°. His career outdoor completion rate sits at 57.7%, and he ranks 22nd in EPA per dropback in those conditions over the past two years.
If Detroit makes the postseason, they may be staring at road games in places like Philly, Chicago, Green Bay, or Seattle — none exactly known for beaches and sunshine.
Injuries Hit Where It Hurts
Just when the Lions started rolling again, they were hit with a gut punch.
Pro Bowl safety Brian Branch tore his Achilles late in the Dallas game. This stacks on top of injuries to All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph and cornerback Terrion Arnold. Detroit’s secondary was already thin — now it’s basically running on duct tape and adrenaline.
Maurice Moton rightfully called this a major concern ahead of this week’s matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.
Still Dangerous. Still Explosive. Still Detroit.
Ralph Vacchiano warned fans not to declare the Lions “back” just because they beat the Cowboys. Fair enough. The Rams, Steelers, and Bears lie ahead — and this stretch will reveal whether Detroit is simply good… or actually dangerous.
But here’s the truth no ranking can ignore:
This team can put 40 on anyone.
This team responds to losses better than any team in the league — 15 straight post-loss wins.
And this team is coached by a man who refuses to let the wheels fall off.
Dan Campbell didn’t just take over play-calling.
He grabbed the season by the collar.
If Detroit stays hot, stays healthy enough, and stays indoors long enough, they’re not just a top-10 team.
They’re a problem.