The Green Bay Packers swung for the fences, landing All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons in a blockbuster trade that sent longtime defensive tackle Kenny Clark packing. The move immediately shook up the NFC North race, with oddsmakers pushing the Packers ahead of the Detroit Lions as division favorites.
But if you were hoping to see Dan Campbell sweating over Vegas odds, think again.
TL;DR
- Packers added Micah Parsons, and Vegas jumped them over the Lions in the NFC North odds.
- Campbell is not fazed by Las Vegas listing the Packers as the new favorite to win the NFC North.
- Detroit’s offensive line and offensive firepower make them well-equipped to handle elite pass rushers.
- The Lions’ culture and roster depth keep them firmly in the driver’s seat.
The Lead
Asked if he’d use the perception shift as bulletin board material, Campbell couldn’t have been less interested.
“Uh, no, we haven’t talked about any of that. Vegas has done what, again?” he said on Monday. “No, listen, that’s all good. To each their own. We haven’t talked about any of that.”
That’s Campbell in a nutshell. No time for hype. No time for outside noise. Just football.
Dan Campbell’s Thoughts on Micah Parsons
Detroit hasn’t fully game-planned for the Packers yet, but Campbell made it clear Parsons is on their radar. He even joked that some of their old preparation for Clark might carry over.
“I don’t know how much change necessarily yet,” Campbell said. “We’re not even into third down yet, so we’ll get more into that in the next couple of days. But certainly, we’ll have our eyes on that. We know what kind of player he is. He’s a really good player, and we will have a plan.”
Campbell then doubled down on the Lions’ readiness.
“Look, you’ve got to be prepared,” He said. They’re going to find plays that they can use him in where he can excel. Like I said, we will have a plan.”
Why Lions Fans Shouldn’t Panic
Parsons is elite, no doubt. But let’s not forget:
- Detroit’s offensive line was among the NFL’s best in 2024, keeping Jared Goff upright while paving the way for the league’s No. 3 rushing attack (2,488 yards).
- The Lions’ offense led the entire NFL in scoring (564 points) and finished second in total yards (6,962).
- This group has already faced and beaten some of the game’s toughest edge rushers.
Detroit’s blueprint hasn’t changed: win in the trenches, protect Goff, and let playmakers like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams do the rest.
The Bigger Picture
Vegas can set odds however it likes, but Campbell isn’t coaching for gamblers. He’s coaching for wins.
- The Lions are fresh off a 15-2 season, their best in decades.
- The roster is deeper than ever, with rookies like Tyleik Williams and Isaac TeSlaa expected to make an impact.
- And the culture in Detroit? Still built on grit, accountability, and blocking out distractions.
As Campbell reminded reporters: Vegas doesn’t play on Sundays.
Key Stats & Further Reading
- Lions ranked 1st in NFL scoring (33.2 ppg) in 2024.
- Jared Goff threw for 4,629 yards and 37 TDs last season.
- Post-draft power rankings still have Detroit as a top contender.
The Bottom Line
The Packers made noise with the Parsons trade, but Campbell isn’t taking the bait. Detroit isn’t focused on odds or narratives, only preparation and execution. As he put it best: “We will have a plan.”
Don Drysdale
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