By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s head coach believes his 5–2 team still hasn’t hit its ceiling — and that should worry the rest of the league.
The Detroit Lions have been one of the NFL’s most consistent teams through the first half of the 2025 season. Sitting at 5–2 heading into Week 9, they’ve looked like a team capable of making another deep playoff run. Yet, for head coach Dan Campbell, good simply isn’t good enough.
Despite the strong record, Campbell insists that Detroit still hasn’t played its best football — a message that signals just how high the standard has become in Motown.
“We Haven’t Played Our Best Ball Yet”
Even after losing both coordinators in the offseason, Detroit hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. But when Campbell evaluates his team, he sees room for significant improvement in all areas.
“I really believe we haven’t played our best ball yet collectively in all three phases,” Campbell told ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. “And that’s really what we’re trying to get to here — how can we sharpen ourselves. We know it’s going to take every phase. Every game’s different, and one unit may have to pick up the slack, but we need to start playing complete ball across the board.”
It’s the kind of message that defines Campbell’s leadership style — no complacency, no shortcuts. For him, the Lions’ impressive start is just a foundation to build upon.
Finding the Missing Pieces
During their bye week, Campbell and his staff zeroed in on four areas that need attention, starting with third-down efficiency. On offense, Detroit has converted just 37.7% of its third downs, ranking 22nd in the league — a steep drop from their 47% success rate last season. Defensively, they’ve allowed opponents to move the chains at nearly the same clip, another key area that must tighten up.
The Lions also spent time addressing their red zone defense, which has been a rare weak spot. Detroit has allowed touchdowns on 63.6% of opponents’ red zone trips, a number that Campbell knows must come down if the team wants to close out games more convincingly.
Unlocking Jameson Williams’ Potential
Another major focus: getting wide receiver Jameson Williams more consistently involved in the offense. The young speedster’s impact has fluctuated, often depending on his target share. Campbell understands that when Williams stretches defenses vertically, the entire offense opens up — creating opportunities for Amon-Ra St. Brown and the running game to thrive.
“Finding ways to get him in space,” Campbell noted earlier this week, “is going to be crucial for this team moving forward.”
The Scariest Part? They’re Still Climbing
As the Lions prepare to face the Minnesota Vikings at home, they do so with a dangerous combination of confidence and hunger. A 5–2 record is impressive, but in Campbell’s mind, it’s just the beginning.
Detroit has already proven it can win tough games and battle adversity. But if Campbell’s assessment holds true — that the Lions still have another gear — then the rest of the NFL may be in trouble.
Because when a team that’s already good believes it hasn’t yet played its best football, that’s when it becomes truly dangerous.