The Detroit Lions were humbled in Week 1, falling 27-13 to the Green Bay Packers in a game where very little went right. The offensive line struggled, the defense couldn’t generate pressure, and the new-look unit under John Morton looked out of sync. For many fans, the loss felt like a punch in the gut.
But if you listen to star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, it may have been exactly what this team needed.
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Wake-Up Call
Speaking with reporters Thursday, St. Brown didn’t shy away from the sting of losing to a division rival, but he pointed out that the defeat may turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
“After taking a loss like we did last week, I think, it kind of woke guys up, I think everyone in this building,” St. Brown said as quoted by Lions OnSI. “So, I think we needed that. So, I think guys are excited, we’re fired up. Out on the practice field, I think guys are going a little extra harder than they were before. So, I think it was good for us. This game’s going to be big for us.”
That quote right there says a lot. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, the Lions are using the loss as fuel. And if you’ve been following Dan Campbell’s team the last few years, you know this is exactly how they operate: adversity tends to sharpen their edge.
Why the Loss Might Actually Help
It’s easy for a 15-2 team from last year to believe their own hype. For months, national media outlets have been crowning the Lions as NFC favorites. Add in the preseason buzz and a stacked roster, and you can see why players might have come into Lambeau a little too comfortable.
Getting “punched in the mouth,” as Campbell likes to say, might be the reset button this roster needed. The Packers reminded Detroit that nothing comes easy in the NFL, especially in the NFC North.
St. Brown’s comments reveal that the Lions aren’t sulking. They’re adjusting. They’re practicing harder. And they know Week 2 against the Bears isn’t just another game, it’s a chance to prove that the hype train hasn’t derailed.
The Ben Johnson Factor
There’s another wrinkle in all this: the return of Ben Johnson, now the Bears’ head coach. St. Brown was candid about his relationship with his former offensive coordinator.
“I love Ben, man,” St. Brown said. “I’ll never really have anything bad to say about him, just because of what he did for me as a player, what he did for this team. I remember when I first got here as a rookie, he was the tight ends coach, then they promoted him to pass game coordinator my rookie year and then he was offensive coordinator. And I feel like ever since he stepped in that role, I got more catches, more opportunities. He believed in me, trusted in me. So, just seeing the work ethic that he had, I respect him as a coach, as a man.”
But make no mistake, St. Brown made it clear there are limits to that love.
“I love Ben, but there’s two games out of the year where I want him to fail,” he added.
Why It Matters
The Lions are at a crossroads early in the season. A 0-2 start with back-to-back division losses would send the panic meter through the roof. But if they handle their business Sunday against Chicago, the Week 1 meltdown will be remembered as the jolt that got them back on track.
St. Brown’s message is simple: don’t panic. Instead, trust that this group will do what they’ve done best under Campbell — respond when everyone else is doubting them.
The Bears are walking into a Ford Field that will be loud, angry, and ready to welcome back Ben Johnson with a chorus of boos. And if St. Brown’s words are any indication, the Lions plan to match that energy on the field.
The Bottom Line
Sometimes, the worst thing that can happen to a contender is believing they’ve already arrived. The Packers reminded the Lions that grit is still required. And according to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit got the message loud and clear.
“This game’s going to be big for us,” he said.
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