The Detroit Lions secured the top seed in the NFC with a 15-2 record during the regular season, positioning them as a strong Super Bowl
contender.However, before they can think about advancing to New Orleans, they must first handle a determined Washington Commanders team in the Divisional round.
Given the Lions’ dominant performance this season, head coach Dan Campbell was asked if it was a Super Bowl-or-bust situation for his team. “Right now, everything is focused on this game.
I’ve said it before—I’ve been to the Super Bowl, and losing there feels awful. So, it’s all about this week. We need to win this game,” Campbell responded to reporters, according to NFL.com.
Campbell and the Lions are staying focused on their immediate challenge with the Commanders, which is a smart move after Washington showed its strength with an impressive Wild Card round victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Campbell has experience in the Super Bowl, having played in Super Bowl XXXV with the New York Giants, where they lost 34-7 to the Baltimore Ravens. He later won a Super Bowl title with the New Orleans Saints in 2009.
Now, he is in a position to lead the Lions to a championship, but his experience has taught him to approach each game individually.
The Lions earned a first-round bye, which could prove crucial.
The extra time off allows them to potentially have running back David Montgomery available for Saturday’s game. Montgomery, who injured his MCL in Week 15 and missed the rest of the regular season, could be a key factor in the Lions’ backfield.
While Jahmyr Gibbs stepped up admirably in Montgomery’s absence, the team is excited to reunite their dynamic duo, as they combined for 28 rushing touchdowns this season.
While Campbell is ensuring the Lions don’t overlook the Commanders, he was unbothered by the Minnesota Vikings possibly overlooking the Los Angeles Rams.
After Detroit’s Week 18 victory over Minnesota to secure the division title, Campbell told Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, “See you in two weeks,” suggesting the Vikings assumed they’d face the Bucs, which the Rams are now using as motivation for their upcoming game.