Dan Campbell’s Success Against Three Key Teams
Which teams has Dan Campbell and the Lions been most successful against?
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has made it a priority to dominate the NFC North during his four-year tenure. After a rocky start, Campbell has guided the Lions to back-to-back NFC North titles, with their 17-7 record against divisional rivals, including a perfect 6-0 mark in 2024, being a key factor in their rise. But Campbell has also had consistent success against a few non-divisional teams, though the rotating schedule makes it harder to claim dominance over them. Here are three teams Campbell has had notable success against:
Green Bay Packers
The Lions faced major struggles against the Green Bay Packers throughout the 2010s, with Aaron Rodgers leading the Packers to six division titles from 2010-2019. When Campbell took over in 2021, the Packers were fresh off two consecutive division championships. Campbell’s first meeting with the Packers, a Monday Night Football clash in Week 2, ended in a 35-17 loss. However, that would be the last time Green Bay would beat Detroit for nearly two seasons.
The Lions bounced back in 2021, winning their season finale against the Packers, who had pulled most of their starters. In 2022, Detroit delivered a hard-fought 15-9 victory in Week 9 and capped off their season-ending 8-2 run with a 20-16 win at Lambeau Field, which many saw as a symbolic passing of the torch. In 2023, the Lions beat Green Bay 34-20 in Week 4, though the Packers got revenge on Thanksgiving with a 29-22 win. By 2024, the Lions had swept the Packers for the second time in three years, including a 24-14 victory at Lambeau and a last-second win later in the season. Campbell’s record against Green Bay now stands at 6-2 over four years.
Arizona Cardinals
One of Campbell’s defining moments came in his first season when the Lions, at 1-11-1, hosted the 10-3 Arizona Cardinals. Detroit dominated the game from start to finish, winning 30-12 behind three touchdown passes from Jared Goff. It was the Lions’ first blowout win under Campbell and led to his famous postgame “Welcome to Detroit” speech.
The Lions faced the Cardinals again in Week 3 of 2024, following a tough loss to Tampa Bay in Week 2. Detroit went on the road and secured a 30-20 victory. With two double-digit wins over Arizona, Campbell’s Lions have handled their NFC West rival with authority.
Minnesota Vikings
From the outset of his tenure, Campbell emphasized the importance of success within the division as a foundation for postseason contention. Against the Minnesota Vikings, he has an even 6-2 record over his four years in charge. After a heartbreaking loss in his first road game against Minnesota, Campbell’s Lions earned their first win under him with a last-second touchdown from Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown in Week 13.
In 2022, the Lions led by 10 points entering the fourth quarter of their first meeting with the Vikings but ultimately lost in a close finish. However, Detroit ended that season strong, defeating Minnesota 34-23 to begin a five-game winning streak against their division rival.
In 2023, the Lions swept the Vikings, including a crucial Christmas Eve win that clinched their first division title in 30 years. Last season, the Lions also won a tight game in Minnesota with a last-second field goal and then dominated the return matchup at home, sealing another NFC North title.
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