Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell delivered a fiery message after his team’s narrow 23-20 Thanksgiving Day win over the Chicago Bears, emphasizing resilience and gratitude amid adversity.
Campbell on Winning Ugly
Despite holding a 23-7 lead in the third quarter, the Lions faltered offensively, allowing the Bears to rally with two late touchdowns. A critical defensive stop in the final moments — aided by questionable decisions from Bears head coach Matt Eberflus — secured the Lions’ victory.
In his postgame remarks, Campbell urged his team and fans to appreciate every win:
> “If you’re not careful, you start grading your own wins… If you’re not careful, you start taking the wins for granted. Ultimately, that’s a good win against an opponent that has fought every week… I will take this ‘W’ and I’m not going to lose sleep over it.”
Injuries Piling Up
The Lions’ Thanksgiving clash also highlighted a recurring issue — mounting injuries, particularly on defense. Yet, Campbell refused to use injuries as an excuse:
> “Does it really matter? Like who cares? Either it is or it isn’t, and we get a guy back, or we don’t. Worrying about it… What does it matter?”
This no-excuses mentality reflects the culture Campbell has instilled in Detroit, one that prioritizes perseverance and next-man-up mentality.
Building a Battle-Tested Team
The Lions’ ability to grind out tough wins, even when circumstances aren’t ideal, continues to showcase their growth as a resilient contender. As Campbell stated, it’s this battle-tested approach that defines great teams.
With playoff aspirations still intact, Detroit fans can take heart in Campbell’s leadership and the Lions’ refusal to let adversity derail their season.
