Jack Campbell looks like NFL's best linebacker after dominant game vs. Dallas

The Detroit Lions needed their defense to step up in a big way in Week 14, and that's exactly what they were able to do against the red hot Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field.

While Detroit's offense had been inconsistent, they were giving the team a chance to win games and the defense struggled to execute in crunch time. That finally didn't happen anymore in a 44-30 victory over the Cowboys, where the Lions were able to get off the field multiple times in the red zone and force field goals.

A big reason that was the case was the play of linebacker Jack Campbell. All night long, Campbell was the best defender on the field. He flew around and collected 12 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. Campbell was also robbed of a safety, as it seemed clear Dak Prescott did not escape the end zone during the sack.

Regardless, once again the league got to see what Campbell has to offer and he continues to impress. This season, he has made Lions history at linebacker, joining Chris Spielman as the kind of tackle and sack maven up front the franchise has not seen since 1989.

Beyond that, Campbell is also producing at a consistent level. Over a decade ago, Stephen Tulloch was a model of consistency at linebacker, and finally, the Lions have found a player who can match his effort and statistical output at the position.

Add it up and Campbell has taken on the look of one of the league's most explosive defenders and arguably the best linebacker in the game. Dallas found out why he is so dangerous. The reason? Once he gets rolling, he's often able to impart his will on the entire game in a negative way for the opposition.

With Campbell leading the defense, the sky is the limit for the Lions down the stretch. If he continues to dictate the defensive pace, Detroit will be in great shape to make noise in the NFC playoff race.

Dan Campbell was impressed by Lions' ability to impact game up front

Perhaps the biggest reason the Lions beat the Cowboys on defense was the havoc their front created for the Dallas line. A week after not touching Jordan Love, Detroit was in the face of Prescott much of the night, which was critical after their coach had challenged them to win their battles up front.

"We had a lot of guys who won their one-on-ones, and we were pretty disruptive there. (Al-Quadin) Muhammad. I thought Alim McNeill did some good things in there. (Aidan) Hutchinson was close a number of times, and he got flushed. We played pretty good coverage. It wasn't perfect, but all in all, we did what we had to do and we knew we needed to score on offense. Like I said, it's a potent (Dallas) offense. At the end of the day, we did enough in all three phases."

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Setting the tone with all of that was Campbell, who made the impact plays in the first-half to get Detroit off to a solid start and help them believe they could win a tough game. There wasn't much confidence to be had after last week, but Campbell's swagger pulled the defense together and inspired the group at the perfect time.

The Lions will need Campbell to continue playing solid football, and with a potential All-Pro and Pro Bowl season upcoming, there's no reason to think he will not continue to deliver in all phases.