Dan Campbell has transformed the Detroit Lions into primetime juggernauts. After a commanding 38-30 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 15, 2025, Campbell’s primetime record stands at an impressive 12-2, including 11 wins in his last 12 primetime games. Here’s a look at how the Lions became must-watch TV under Campbell’s leadership.
2021: A Rough Start
Campbell’s primetime journey began in his first season as head coach. In Week 2, the Lions faced the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football (Sept. 20, 2021) at Lambeau Field. Detroit led 17-14 at halftime, but a second-half shutout led to a 35-17 loss. The Lions’ Thanksgiving Day game against the Chicago Bears (Nov. 25, 2021)ended in a heartbreaking 16-14 defeat on a last-second field goal. Detroit finished 2021 with an 0-1 primetime record and 0-1 on Thanksgiving.
2022: A Lone Spotlight
The 2022 season was a quiet one for Detroit in primetime, with no true evening games scheduled. The Lions’ only national showcase was their Thanksgiving matchup against the Buffalo Bills (Nov. 24, 2022.) Despite a valiant effort, Detroit fell 28-25. However, the season marked a turning point, as the Lions finished 9-8, narrowly missing the playoffs. A Week 18 flexed Sunday Night Football game at Green Bay (Jan. 8, 2023) saw safety Kerby Joseph intercept Aaron Rodgers three times, including Rodgers’ final pass as a Packer, in a 20-16 upset. This win gave Campbell a 1-1 primetime record overall and 0-2 on Thanksgiving.
2023: Primetime Breakthrough
The Lions’ 2023 season, a 12-5 campaign that clinched the NFC North, earned them five primetime games. It started with a bang: a Week 1 upset over the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs (Sept. 7, 2023) at Arrowhead Stadium, 21-20, on Thursday Night Football. Three weeks later, Detroit dominated Green Bay 34-20 (Sept. 28, 2023) on Thursday Night Football, with running back David Montgomery scoring three rushing touchdowns. In Week 8, the Lions hosted their first home primetime game under Campbell, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 26-14 (Oct. 30, 2023) on Monday Night Football.
Thanksgiving brought disappointment, as Green Bay stunned Detroit 29-22 (Nov. 23, 2023) at Ford Field, dropping Campbell’s Thanksgiving record to 0-3. But the Lions rebounded in Week 15, dismantling the Denver Broncos 42-17 (Dec. 16, 2023) on Saturday Night Football, with tight end Sam LaPorta scoring three touchdowns. The season’s final primetime game, a Week 17 showdown at Dallas (Dec. 30, 2023), ended in controversy. Detroit’s 20-19 loss hinged on a nullified two-point conversion due to a referee error involving lineman Taylor Decker’s eligibility, snapping a five-game primetime win streak. Campbell finished 2023 with a 4-1 primetime record, and now 0-3 on Thanksgiving during the Campbell era.
2024: Dominating the Spotlight
The Lions’ 12-5 season and NFC Championship appearance in 2023 secured them six primetime games in 2024. Week 1 saw Detroit edge the Los Angeles Rams 26-20 in overtime (Sept. 8, 2024) on Sunday Night Football. In Week 4, the Lions trounced the Seattle Seahawks 42-29 (Sept. 30, 2024) on Monday Night Football, ending years of struggles against Seattle.
Thanksgiving delivered redemption for the Detroit Lions, who narrowly defeated the Chicago Bears 23-20 (Nov. 28, 2024) marking Dan Campbell’s first Thanksgiving win. In Week 14, Detroit battled the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football (Dec. 5, 2024), prevailing 34-31 after Campbell’s bold fourth-down call set up Jake Bates’ clutch field goal as time expired. The Lions’ second-to-last primetime game, a Monday Night Football showdown at San Francisco (Dec. 30, 2024), ended with a dramatic 40-34 victory. The season closed with a pivotal Week 18 clash against the Minnesota Vikings, a winner-take-all battle for the NFC North title, where Detroit asserted its dominance with a 31-9 rout. Detroit went a perfect 6-0 in primetime in 2024, including 1-0 on Thanksgiving.
2025: Continuing the Trend
The Lions’ primetime dominance continued into 2025. In Week 3, they defeated the Baltimore Ravens 38-30 (Sept. 22, 2025) on Monday Night Football, their first win in Baltimore since 1977. This victory moved Campbell’s primetime record to 12-2, with upcoming 2025 primetime games against Kansas City (Oct. 12) Tampa Bay (Oct. 20), Philadelphia (Nov. 16), Dallas (Dec. 4), and Minnesota (Dec. 25, Christmas). His only primetime losses remain the 2021 Green Bay game and the controversial 2023 Dallas defeat.
Why Campbell Reigns
Since 2021, the Lions have played 14 primetime games (not including Thanksgiving), going 12-2 under Campbell. Notably, they’ve faced Green Bay annually in primetime. Their 2023 Thursday Night Football win over Green Bay marked their first since 2015, and their 2024 Sunday Night Football victory was their first since 2018.
Campbell’s grit, bold play-calling, and ability to rally his team have made Detroit a global draw, with fans tuning in worldwide. As the Lions prepare for a Sunday Night Football showdown at Kansas City, expect Campbell’s primetime mastery to shine again.