Opposite to near-unanimous NFL teaching opinion, perhaps there may be such a factor as a very good loss.
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell was open to contemplating the benefit of a high quality defeat based mostly largely on the timing of a 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Payments on Sunday that snapped an 11-game profitable streak.
“What occurs is, you get used to consuming filet. And I am speaking all of us. And the whole lot’s good. Life’s good, you already know?” Campbell informed Detroit radio station 97.1 The Ticket on Tuesday. “However you forgot what it was like once you had nothing and also you ate your f—ing molded bread. And it was simply positive. And it gave you the whole lot you wanted. And typically you gotta get punched within the mouth and keep in mind what it was like to essentially recognize the place you might be. And we’ll do this.”
“What occurs is, you get used to consuming filet. And I am speaking all of us. And the whole lot’s good. Life’s good, you already know? However you forgot what it was like once you had nothing and also you ate your f—ing molded bread. And it was simply positive. And it gave you the whole lot you wanted. And typically you gotta get punched within the mouth and keep in mind what it was like to essentially recognize the place you might be.”
Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions coach
Operating again David Montgomery, cornerback Carlton Davis III and defensive deal with Alim McNeill suffered season-ending accidents in opposition to the Payments. Campbell stated Davis, who broke his jaw and required surgical procedure, may be a candidate to return within the postseason, however any timeline can be decided throughout his energetic restoration.
“And so, we acquired dangerous tastes in our mouth, we acquired kicked across the different day. We misplaced a number of guys. And you already know what? It is precisely what we wanted,” Campbell stated. “That is precisely what we wanted. So we will bounce again. We’ll reply. We acquired guys who’re about to have an unbelievable alternative right here. And we are going to play the sport any approach wanted to win.
“We nonetheless acquired a very good offense. We acquired loads of defensive gamers. I can go rattle them off proper now. We’re gonna put one of the best 11 on the sector. We’re gonna freakin’ lower it free, We’re gonna play with our particular groups. And I do not give a crap if we have now to win by one level for the remainder of the yr, that is what we’re gonna do. And I am gonna be joyful about it. We come out of the sport with 50 yards of complete offense and we win by one, you are gonna see smiles on my face, I promise you. If it is the opposite approach defensively, we quit 700 yards and we win by one level, you are gonna see a f—ing smile from my ear to ear. I promise you.”
The Lions (12-2) go to the Chicago Bears on Sunday within the rematch of a Thanksgiving Day sport more likely to be remembered for a very long time in each cities. The Bears at present are within the midst of an eight-game dropping streak that features the 23-20 vacation setback at Ford Discipline that resulted within the firing of head coach Matt Eberflus.
Detroit clinched a playoff spot and may nonetheless end first within the NFC to obtain a bye and home-field benefit. The Lions journey to San Francisco for a Monday evening sport on Dec. 30 earlier than what may very well be a trophy sport deciding the North division when the Minnesota Vikings go to Ford Discipline in Week 18.
Campbell stated there isn’t a proxy for the hard-nosed, pink zone machine Montgomery sitting on the follow squad with the Lions or elsewhere.
However Detroit may need skilled reinforcements at cornerback within the close to future. Ifeatu Melifonwu hasn’t performed this season due to an Achilles damage and a damaged finger, however Campbell implied his return-to-practice window would open this week. Rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. stays sidelined by a hamstring damage, and his return, whereas not this week at Chicago, may very well be close to.
Star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who had surgical procedure in October to restore his fractured tibia and fibula, stated he may return if the Lions attain the Tremendous Bowl.
“We’re gonna discover a approach,” Campbell stated. “And we’re gonna get it achieved.”
