Dan Campbell Says the Lions Are Eager to Settle the Score with the 49ers

The Detroit Lions are preparing for a key Week 17 match against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.

This game is especially important for head coach Dan Campbell and his team, as it’s a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship game, a painful loss that still lingers in the minds of many players.

Campbell reflected on the team’s development since that defeat and expressed confidence that the Lions are more prepared this time. “I think we’re a lot more mature now,” he said.

“Every year you learn something about winning and losing, and we definitely learned from that loss last year.”

Campbell pointed out the lessons learned from the previous encounter, acknowledging that both the Lions made mistakes and the 49ers executed well. “There were plenty of things we did wrong, and they did right,” Campbell stated.

“You understand how the game can shift and the importance of maintaining composure, making the most of every opportunity, as even a play in the second quarter could change everything.”

While Campbell feels the team is better prepared than before, he knows facing a top team like the 49ers, a consistent NFC powerhouse, is a huge challenge.

“You feel ready, but until you face a champion like them, you never truly know,” Campbell noted.

Despite the Lions’ improvement, the sting of last year’s loss remains.

“That experience, as tough as it was, has helped us grow into this year,” he said. “You never want to lose, and now we have a chance to face the team that bested us and get a win.”

At 13-2, the Lions are playing their best football of the season. This game against the 49ers offers a chance for redemption and closure for Campbell and his players.

The 49ers, as always, will be a tough opponent, but this game will be a real test for the Lions as they aim for the NFC’s top spot.

As they prepare to face the 49ers, the Lions’ growth and maturity over the past year will be put to the test.