Dan Campbell just learned the worst news possible as Lions face Rams in Week 15

As the 10-3 Los Angeles Rams pivot towards a Week 15 clash against the 8-5 Detroit Lions, initial reactions by fans were a mixture of respect and anxious concern. The Lions are desperate, as desperate as the Carolina Panthers were in Week 13. We all know how that one turned out. While the Rams are locked into the most competitive NFL division, they've been fending off rivals for weeks.

As the season winds down, the energy expended to be on top of their performance is tough to maintain. Just check out the meltdown with the Philadelphia Eagles amidst a three-game losing streak. While it's fun to be atop the division and NFC, the truth was stated perfectly by head coach Sean McVay as he shared Los Angeles will not even be in the playoffs if it is not careful.

But the stakes just skyrocketed for a Week 15 clash with those pesky Lions. You see, the NFL confirmed that the Rams can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Lions this Sunday. That evens up the motivation for this one, and for the first time since 2021, Los Angeles has an opportunity to finish an NFL season with 11 or more wins, with three more games on the schedule.

Rams have no lack of reasons to bring their A game against Detroit

The Detroit Lions have been a thorn in LA's side for several years, as the Horns have been regrouping after winning Super Bowl LVI, while Detroit has been pummeling the NFC North Division. But 2025 shows the trends reversing. Now, it's the Rams topping an ultra-competitive NFC West Division, and the Lions failing to keep pace in the NFC North.

As it stands now, the Lions are out of postseason contention and need help from other NFL teams to make the playoffs. And it wasn't so long ago that the Lions head coach, Dan Campbell, sparked heated controversy by jinxing both the Lions and Minnesota Vikings by looking past their initial playoff opponents towards a rematch.

We'll revisit that awkward situation again.

For now, suffice it to say that the LA Rams and Washington Commanders had plenty of bulletin board flotsam and jetsam to fuel upsets in last year's playoffs. Now, it's the Lions who are fighting for their playoff lives.

Los Angeles has to respect Detroit in this one. After all, the Lions have won the past two games and hold a three-out-of-five advantage over the past five games between the two teams. But the Rams are not the same team the Lions have faced in the past. This is a much stingier defense, a far more productive offense, and a very dangerous rushing attack.

Yes, the Lions need this win. But with the latest update from the NFL, it appears that the LA Rams may need it even more.

As always, thanks for reading.