Defense wins championships, offense sells tickets.
The Detroit Lions are hoping they can get back on track to do both against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 15. It’s a tall order, with the Rams looking like the best team in the NFL as of late while led by former Lion quarterback Matthew Stafford. They have a dynamic offense and a strong defensive front, two things that have given the Lions fits throughout this season.
Still, the clock is ticking for Detroit to string together a few wins and punch a ticket into the postseason as they remain in the hunt for a Wild Card spot – or, as some think, even a divisional title. These three Lions can swing the pendulum, one way or another, during this afternoon contest.
3 Lions that can break Rams game wide open in Week 15
Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson has not been getting to the quarterback as effectively as he has in the past, and he’s not even leading the team in sacks this year – that honor goes to Al-Quadin Muhammad. But, that doesn’t mean he isn’t an effective piece to this Lions defensive line, still.
He’s getting free to get to the quarterback through double teams and chips to the tune of 80 pressures this season, but it’s often a bit too little, too late. With Muhammad’s surge, perhaps the Rams’ defensive line finds they need to balance out their blocking between him and Hutchinson, opening things up for the defender.
Jack Campbell
Another defender that will be key to this contest is Campbell, the high-flying linebacker who is in line for a huge extension if he keeps up his level of play. His work alongside Alex Anzalone has been a highlight for Detroit’s defense in 2025. He has 67 solo tackles this season, which is good for 4th in the league, in addition to five sacks and three forced fumbles.
His punch-out ability and usefulness as another pass rusher, essentially, can throw Stafford off his game. Additionally, Campbell is such a proficient gap-filler that he could be an effective stop-gap measure against Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
Jahmyr Gibbs
You cannot create a list of impactful Lions players without, at this point, including Gibbs. The running back is only one touchdown away from becoming the league-leader in rushing touchdowns scored before the age of 24, surpassing Lions legend Barry Sanders.
If that’s not enough motivation for Gibbs and the Lions to get him going, his speed and threat as a pass catcher can also provide another dimension to what is already the best offense in the NFL. Gibbs’ last game against the Rams included 40 rushing yards, 34 receiving yards, and a touchdown.
Lions Place S on IR, Activate TE, Elevate Two From Practice Squad
The Detroit Lions announced a pair of practice squad elevations, ahead of their Week 15 road contest against the Los Angeles Rams.
This week, the decision was made by the coaching staff to elevate safety Erick Hallett and tight end Giovanni Ricci from the practice squad. Additionally, the team placed safety Brian Branch on injured reserve and activated tight end Shane Zylstra.
On Friday, safety Kerby Joseph was officially ruled out. The team downgraded safety Thomas Harper and offensive lineman Christian Mahogany on Saturday afternoon, leaving the team to count on reserves to assist on the back end of the defense and the offensive line.
With the secondary depleted, one of the biggest challenges Detroit faces this week is limiting the productivity of Rams’ wideouts Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
Both have been thriving in Sean McVay’s offense, while Matthew Stafford is again having a stellar season.
Dan Campbell was asked this week challenges defensive backs face this week, given how well the Rams offense has been operating.
“I think, like any of these that come up, man, our DBs know this and I tell them, (Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard) Shep tells them, (Passing game coordinator/defensive backs Deshea Townsend) Shea tells them, ‘Listen, you may get beat on one, but make it hard. If they made some catch that’s going to go all over social media, well good for them.’ That’s a hell of a play but make sure they’re having to make that with you all over them or you turn to the ball, you in their hip pocket, and they come away.
“If you do that, man, I’ll take our guy. I’ll take our guy eight out of 10 of those. Like, we’ll make that play as long as we make it hard,” Campbell added. “Now that doesn’t mean they won’t come up with one, and he does, he gives his guys a chance to make a play. But that’s okay, you make it hard on them. Make them earn that if that’s the way it’s going to be.”
Detroit’s first-year defensive coordinator accepted the challenge of putting his players in the best position to succeed.
Cornerback Amik Roberton also had the benefit of facing Adams, back when they both played with the Las Vegas Raiders.
“It starts with coaching. It starts with coaching, trying to put players in optimal position, that’s number one. And then at the end of the day it comes down to the player remembering the coaching that you’ve been trained and prepped for, and going out and executing that. Fundamental details,” said Sheppard. “You see a lot of guys hopping, reaching. Now that sounds good, me standing up here saying it, he’d probably have my ass hopping and reaching, too.
“Just understanding, where’s my help? What has been the coaching detail that week? And not on the first play of the game, it’s when you’re in the third quarter and you’ve accumulated 42 reps, 43 reps, and the game’s weighing on you a little bit, and that’s the critical stop we need.”