No longer underdogs, the Lions still have plenty to prove with Dan Campbell and Jared Goff leading the charge

Detroit has established itself as a Super Bowl contender. Can it get over the hump?

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions fully embraced the underdog mentality in 2021 after Dan Campbell's infamous kneecaps press conference. They leaned on it when they didn't get a win until Thanksgiving, and it was still a thing even as they turned the corner midway through the 2022 season.

Last year, finally, was the breakthrough. A 12-5 season. An NFC North title. Racking up more playoff victories in two weeks than the previous six decades combined.

The 2024 Lions can't be the underdogs anymore, right?