The Detroit Lions’ run of success came to an end for the time being against the Carolina Panthers. As a result, the dream of the playoffs has receded into the distance. Players and coaches criticised their own mentality and promise to improve.

Isaiah Buggs delivered a damning verdict. “They were ready and we weren’t,” the Detroit Lions defensive end said after his team’s surprising 23-37 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

“This is the NFL where any team can beat any other team. If you’re not ready and you’re not completely with yourself, you can get beat. That’s what happened today. We’re the better team. But we just didn’t play like it,” Buggs continued.

For Detroit, the surprising defeat is a real setback after they had previously won six of seven games and were on course for the play-offs. They missed the opportunity to climb into the seventh and last playoff spot in the NFC, at least for the time being.

Head Coach Campbell is self-critical: “It reflects on me “

“This is a tough pill to swallow,” said Head Coach Dan Campbell, taking some of the blame for his team’s uninspired performance: “We weren’t emotionally, physically and mentally ready for this game. When you play like that, it ultimately falls on me. I didn’t set them up well for the game.”

At the same time, he also criticised his team’s mentality, “That was a hungry team we played against. And we didn’t look that hungry. That’s the bottom line.” Campbell reminded that “you get what you deserve in this league. That hurts in the heart now. But that’s also why I love what we do. We love it. “

The weakest Lions run defence since 1998

The big weakness was the run defense, which allowed 320 rushing yards against the Panthers. This was the Lions’ worst defensive performance against the run since 1998, with defenders in many cases filling the wrong gaps, missing tackles or falling for the Panthers’ fakes. That they allowed seven runs for more than 20 yards speaks volumes.

And what about their own running game? Badly! The Lions only got 45 yards from the run in this game. Quarterback Jared Goff threw passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns, but he couldn’t compensate for that deficit.

Amon-Ra St. Brown misses the Pro Bowl – and possibly the playoffs?

German wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught passes for 76 yards in this game. Remarkably, at only 23 years and 61 days old, he is now the youngest receiver in Lions history to have a 1,000-yard receiving season.

Despite that, he too looks back on a disappointing week. Not just because of the loss, but also because of missing the Pro Bowl. Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings), A.J. Brown (Philadelphia Eagles), CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys) and Terry McLaurin (Washington Commanders) were given preference over him. St. Brown is only an option as an afterthought.

What could console him? Probably qualifying for the playoffs, which is still possible for the Lions.

Campbell makes a promise

Two games remain to fulfil the dream of the playoffs after all. Sunday is the home game against the Chicago Bears, a week later the away game at the Green Bay Packers.

Two wins are practically mandatory. With a record of seven wins and eight losses, the Lions are in ninth place in the conference. The Seattle Seahawks (7-8) and the Washington Commanders (7-7-1) are within striking distance in the battle for the playoffs. On the other hand, a loss to the Bears could put an end to their playoff dreams;

Campbell promises that his team will be ready for the last two games. “That’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to make sure of it. “