Disappointing seasons aren’t new to the Detroit Lions.
They’ve made the playoffs only three times since 2000 and lost all three Wild Card games.
This year, they’re staring at their fourth consecutive losing season with a 2-11-1 record after Week 15.
But despite the misery the team has endured, they kept on fighting even if they fell short.
Welp. It’s pretty safe to say Motor City Dan Campbell was by far and away the best coach hired this off-season. Potentially coach of the year to be honest. I’ve never felt more confident in my life that the @Lions are going 10-7 and winning a playoff game next year #OnePride pic.twitter.com/IidUdcpy9q
— Evan Fox (@evanfoxy) December 19, 2021
The Lions are still embracing the hard-nosed mentality that Dan Campbell ignited during his introductory press conference as head coach.
Finally, the long-suffering franchise ended a 15-game winless streak by defeating the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
Little did everyone know, though, that the franchise’s biggest shocker in recent history was about to happen.
Lions Defeat The Cardinals
The Lions are playing without pressure at this stage of the season.
Campbell and his crew know that they won’t play beyond 17 games.
However, they can end their campaign on a good note by collecting more victories.
But no one gave them a chance to defeat the Arizona Cardinals, not even those sportsbooks that pegged the Lions as 12.5-point underdogs.
Yet with nothing to lose, the Lions played their best game this season.
Goff to Reynolds puts the @Lions up 17-0! #OnePride
📺: #AZvsDET on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/xtr0WIJNT1— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2021
If their victory against the Vikings was a close call, Detroit dominated one of the NFL’s best teams.
The absence of DeAndre Hopkins and Robert Alford doesn’t cheapen the Lions’ victory because Arizona remained resilient during road games.
Arizona won seven games away from their home turf with an average victory margin of 16 points.
It seems like the Cardinals enjoy keeping their opponents’ home crowd quiet by dominating their team.
But they could not do the same against the energized Lions.
Who would have thought that the lowly Lions would give the Cardinals their first road loss this season?
More importantly, it was a total team effort for Detroit to defeat Arizona by 18 points.
happy holidays ya'll pic.twitter.com/2bM9W2Okj2
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 19, 2021
Jared Goff completed 21 of 26 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns.
Craig Reynolds ran for 112 yards while Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight receptions for 90 yards.
Their defense also came alive as Charles Harris and Jessie Lemonier combined for two sacks.
Amani Oruwariye also took his sixth interception of the season.
The Win That Saved Campbell’s Job
The Lions’ fate isn’t far from what the Jacksonville Jaguars are experiencing.
But while the Jaguars face uncertainty after Urban Meyer’s firing, it’s fascinating to witness the Lions continually playing for Campbell.
An NFL team with 11 losses could show signs of quitting during their final regular-season games.
However, the Lions continue to fight hard and “bite off knee caps,” which their coach popularized.
It’s hard not to love Dan Campbell, man. pic.twitter.com/qqocIXAPfn
— Ty Schmit (@tyschmit) December 20, 2021
It’s fascinating to see Campbell finding ways to continuously motivate his team even if they’re playing for pride.
In the record books, their victory against the Cardinals will count as one win.
However, it’s the result that galvanized Campbell’s worth in Detroit.
He proved that he could lead this team to play better even if the other team had a better roster on paper.
Dan Campbell after Beating the Cardinals pic.twitter.com/miNSvlHRWR
— Blake Garman (@FrostedBlakes34) December 19, 2021
The city is looking for a winner, and he can be the guy that guides the squad to higher ground.
Without question, Campbell earned a second season with the Lions after this result.
If the Lions can sweep their remaining games under his tutelage, things are looking bright for 2022.
NEXT: Watch: Dan Campbell Addresses Lions After Monumental Upset