Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell made waves after his bold postgame remark following a regular-season win against the Minnesota Vikings, which secured the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
In his handshake with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, Campbell confidently said, “See you in two weeks,” expecting a playoff rematch.
However, that comment has since come back to bite him after a surprising playoff upset.
The Lions entered the postseason as favorites to make a deep run, but their hopes were dashed by a shocking 45-31 defeat to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led the Commanders in a stunning victory at Ford Field, ending Detroit’s playoff journey much earlier than anticipated.
To make matters worse, the Vikings, who Campbell had been preparing for in a potential playoff matchup, fell short of advancing.
They were eliminated in the wild-card round, losing 27-9 to the Los Angeles Rams.
Reports suggested that Campbell’s preemptive remark about a playoff rematch had served as extra motivation for the Rams, giving them an added sense of determination.
Campbell later reflected on the disappointing loss, saying, “It hurts. It just was one of those odd days.
Things were a little bit off. It was not just one thing, and that was kind of how the day was. We just didn’t play great.”
Despite the early postseason exit, the Lions’ regular season performance was something to be proud of.
They not only secured the NFC’s top seed but also proved themselves to be one of the league’s top teams throughout the year. Campbell’s fiery coaching style played a significant role in Detroit’s resurgence.
Yet, the unexpected early playoff exit is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the NFL playoffs.
As the Commanders advance to the NFC Championship Game, the Lions and Campbell are left to reflect on the missed opportunity, with Campbell’s comments now serving as a humorous offseason reminder of how quickly fortunes can change.