Matt Horn: Detroit avoids losing skids, builds overconfidence in Lions fan base

Detroit won its next game following a setback the last five times the Lions lost with Dan Campbell as coach.

Every time Detroit loses, Campbell revives confidence in the team. For Lions fans, that might be a problem.

Not losing consecutive games helps fans continue to distance themselves from a past when one loss often led to four more. It also keeps making them believe the team is better than it is.

Denver (7-6) visits Detroit (9-4) on Saturday with both suddenly occupying uncertain postseason vantage points. Much like Detroit last season, the Broncos started 1-5 before a surge in the second half.

The once 8-2 Lions face a challenges from Minnesota (7-6) in the NFC North Division. Obviously, Detroit still controls its destiny for a home game bonus in the postseason.

It plays the Vikings twice. It split with Green Bay (6-7) and Chicago.

In fact, before a loss to Green Bay on Thanksgiving, it was great to be a Lions fan. Detroit followed with a win over New Orleans in a game it tried to give away and the loss to the Bears last week.

The Lions remain in a better position than most teams, including scenarios to clinch a postseason berth with help this week. It’s rather greedy, particularly in Detroit, to ask for anything more.

Still, Campbell keeps making people believe they can expect a lot. When the season started, winning a home playoff game should have been about what you expected.

Nothing more. Beyond that, Detroit is in trouble.

It’s not inconceivable the Lions would beat San Francisco, Philadelphia or Dallas on the road, but it’s unlikely.

If you want to tame a Lion, try an NFL quarterback. Who wouldn’t want to throw passes against that secondary and lack of pass rush?

And if you’re a mobile NFL quarterback, you must salivate watching Detroit film. Don’t be surprised Saturday to see receiver Courtland Sutton making plays.

It’s not the fault of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. It’s no secret offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is at the front of the line to fill a job in the next hiring cycle for head coaches, but Glenn should be in the conversations as well.

Unlike Johnson’s offensive line, which has been a bit wobbly health-wise aside from Penei Sewell, Glenn’s defense has no standout strength. A linebacker group of Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes and Jalen Reeves-Maybin the last two weeks is the group Glenn is concerned with least.

That’s enough to concern anyone. Ultimately, if the defense doesn’t generate turnovers it allows too many points for any offense to overcome.

Conversely, game manager quarterback Jared Goff plays a primary role in 10 turnovers the last four games that could easily have been several more. Denver’s resurgence has relied on takeaways.

The Lions fought and overachieved through 10 games because of Campbell and Glenn. It’s leveling off.

This is called growth, you don’t just wake up king of the beasts with all the hyenas trying to outsmart you. News flash: You don’t have to be a Super Bowl champ to not be a failure.

Detroit is both flawed and keeps taking roaring steps. Even if it loses to Denver, or the division even, it’s not time to give up.

It’s possible defensive end James Houston and safety CJ Gardner-Johnson, aka Ceedy Duce, return before the season is over. More realistically, the Lions still need a few players via free agency or the draft to be a legitimate contender.

They can’t do that yet, so just enjoy the view atop the division.

mhorn@gannett.com

419-307-4892

X: @MatthewHornNH