By Sunday 
Why the Lions’ showdown with the Cowboys could make—or break—their season
The Detroit Lions don’t need any sugarcoating right now — they know exactly where they stand. After a dreamlike 2024 where they steamrolled their way to 15 wins and the NFC’s No. 1 seed, the 2025 campaign has been… humbling. Their Week 13 loss to the Green Bay Packers dropped them to 7–5, and more importantly, pushed them into third place in the NFC North.
That’s not just a dent; that’s a hit to the playoff hopes they worked so hard to build.
And with only five games left, one Lions star is done with playing things cool.
Gibbs Wants Postseason Mode — Now
Jahmyr Gibbs isn’t waiting for Week 18. He’s flipping the switch immediately.
“We need to treat it like playoff games,” the Lions running back said as Detroit prepares for Thursday’s clash with the Dallas Cowboys.
That’s not motivational fluff. That’s urgency. That’s a player recognizing the hole his team is slipping toward — and the razor-thin margin they now have to climb out of it.
Gibbs knows the truth:
Detroit can’t afford even one misstep. Not with the Bears and Packers above them. Not with the playoff picture tightening by the hour. And not with a fanbase that lived through last year’s magic still believing this team can make noise in January.
A Crucial Five-Game Sprint Begins in Dallas
If Gibbs is calling Thursday’s matchup with the Cowboys a “playoff game,” he’s right. Because it feels like one.
Dallas is also fighting for their postseason life. They’ve won three straight, including a wild 31–28 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Dak Prescott is heating up at the perfect time, and the Cowboys now have the momentum the Lions desperately need to rediscover.
Meanwhile, Detroit’s recent stumble makes their path trickier. But not impossible.
Here’s the tiny sliver of good news:
The Packers and Bears — the two teams ahead of the Lions — play each other next week. Somebody has to lose. If Detroit handles business, they gain ground no matter what.
But that only matters if Gibbs and the Lions bring that playoff intensity he’s demanding.
Detroit’s Identity Is Being Tested
This is where we find out what Dan Campbell’s group is made of.
Are they last year’s powerhouse that bulldozed opponents with grit and swagger?
Or are they this year’s inconsistent squad struggling to recapture that fire?
Gibbs has planted the flag.
Now it’s on the rest of the roster to match him.
Final Thoughts: The Alarm Has Been Sounded
The Lions’ margin for error? Gone.
Their playoff dream? Still alive — but barely.
Their mission? Win out, one “playoff game” at a time.
If Detroit answers Gibbs’ call and brings that urgency to Dallas, this season might still have a January chapter.
If not… their 2025 story could end a lot earlier than anyone expected.