[ad_1]
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) – Dan Campbell smiled loads after he was employed as a coach The Detroit Lions About two years in the past, he began speaking about his gamers being so robust and resilient that they might do it. chew the knee caps.
Campbell made some jokes when Detroit received simply three video games final yr and began 1-6 this season.
Nobody is laughing at him or the Lions anymore.
The 46-year-old former NFL working again has led the Lions to seven wins in 9 video games to enter playoff rivalry with one recreation remaining within the common season.
Detroit will play Inexperienced Bay Sunday evening in an 8-8 matchup with loads at stake for no less than one of many NFC North groups.
To earn a spot within the postseason for the primary time since 2016, the Lions have to win at Lambeau Area and have the luck of the Baker Mayfield-led Los Angeles Rams beating or tying Seattle earlier within the day.
When Campbell addresses the gamers this week, he is not going to inform them it is simply one other recreation or ignore the results.
“We inform them greatness,” he stated Monday. “That is huge, and it may be enjoyable, and let’s go. I imply the depth is up now.
“It is a playoff recreation they usually’ll comprehend it.”
If the Packers win, they are going to be within the playoffs for the fourth straight yr and the twelfth time within the 15 years since Aaron Rodgers grew to become their beginning quarterback. Inexperienced Bay is favored by 4 1/2 factors based on FanDuel Sportsbook:.
The Lions will solely be enjoying for pleasure and potential momentum into subsequent season if the Seahawks beat Los Angeles, however Campbell refuses to purchase into the dropping state of affairs for them.
“Both we’re enjoying to get in or we’re enjoying to be a spoiler and that is it,” Campbell stated. “So anyway, we win.”
WHAT WORKS?
The Lions are averaging an NFL-leading 27 factors and set a franchise report for the eighth recreation with 30-plus factors. 41-10 win over Chicago Sunday.
Detroit threw for 4,000 yards and rushed for two,000 for the primary time in franchise historical past.
The Lions rushed for 265 yards in opposition to the Bears, their highest whole on the bottom since 1991.
Jared Goff had 10 assists within the first half in opposition to the Bears.
“There’s actually nobody like this man,” he stated. “It is not likely like forcing one man to hold the ball or something. It is simply whoever’s open will get the ball.”
WHAT HELP IS NEEDED?
Detroit does not get the ball after ready patiently for rookie Jameson Williams to return from knee surgical procedure. He had a 40-yard punt return in opposition to the Bears in a win over Minnesota final month and a 41-yard landing return final month, his solely landing in 5 video games.
TO DEMAND
Jamaal Williams had 144 yards dashing, together with a career-best 58-yarder on Sunday. Williams additionally had his fifteenth dashing landing to tie him for one in all Barry Sanders’ franchise information set in 1991. The previous Packer had rushed for simply 116 yards within the earlier 4 video games.
REQUIRED
Jeff Okuda had 44 snaps in opposition to Chicago final recreation, the place he sat for a lot of the second half.
HE’S HURT
Beginning security Deshaun Elliott, who has missed two straight video games, will check his shoulder this week to return to the lineup in opposition to the Packers.
KEY NUMBER:
8 — That is the variety of video games Goff has performed because the Nov. 6 layoff. 15-9 win Over Inexperienced Bay.
NEXT STEPS
It is as much as defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to determine how one can decelerate Rodgers once more after his three interceptions within the first assembly at Ford Area.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
[ad_2]
Supply hyperlink