ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions have risen to the occasion nearly every time they’ve been featured in primetime under Dan Campbell.
They’ve been featured a lot with the lights shining their brightest and the football world watching. Since Campbell took over as coach, the Lions are 11-2 in regular-season primetime games.
“I think we handle the perception of pressure well, the lights, all of it,” Campbell said of prepping for primetime games last year. “I think we enjoy it, we enjoy it, we embrace this, we love the atmosphere, we love everything about this, and I just feel like we thrive in this.”
Their winning percentage of .846 in those games is tops in the NFL. In those games, the Lions average 29.9 points per game, while allowing 22.2 points on defense, per TruMedia.
They went 6-0 in primetime during the season last year, falling to the Washington Commanders in a Saturday night divisional round game to end the year on a tough note.
The franchise has cemented itself as television rating darlings, not to mention with a fanbase that always seems to show up for those games under the lights. And it should be a playoff atmosphere this week, when they head to Baltimore to face the Ravens on Monday Night Football.
“Monday Night Football,” Lions offensive coordinator John Morton said to start his press conference on Friday. “Man, I just remember the stories as a kid just watching Monday Night Football with my dad. I’m extremely excited for Monday Night Football.
“Really good opponent, well-coached team, good defense. It’s always a hostile environment in there to play, especially on Monday night. We’re going to be ready, so I’m excited for this game.”
Morton said the Monday Night Football music is still something that gives him chills to this day. He said it’s the “biggest stage in the world,” and there is nothing better than watching those players go.
The Ravens are no slouch at playing well in primetime, either. Lamar Jackson has excelled in those games, leading his team to a 7-2 record on Monday Night Football since he took over at quarterback.
Jackson is someone who brings a ton of eye-popping stats and accolades with him into this matchup. If he retired today, he would finish as the NFL’s all-time leader in passer rating (102.65).
But perhaps most jarring is that the two-time MVP has 22 touchdowns and no interceptions in Monday night games, per ESPN. Jackson said he didn’t get to stay up as a kid to watch Monday Night Football, but that he’s trying to keep his nearly flawless streak going in those games.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff said those Monday night games will always have a special feel to them. They embrace being the “only thing on TV,” and that going against a team like the Ravens in that environment in a “ruckus environment” will be fun.
Star Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has been here for the entire time under Campbell. He’s never shied away from loving the pressure and spotlight that comes along with those primetime showdowns, either.
“I definitely love primetime games, being the only game on,” St. Brown said. “It’s always a lot of fun. I feel like everyone’s watching. Go out, put on a show. Everyone gets to see it.
“So, it’s going to be fun. The Baltimore environment is going to be crazy on Monday night. I can’t wait.”
The next time the Lions play on Monday night, after this trip to Baltimore, will happen at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7.