As the Detroit Lions prepare for their crucial Week 18 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media about the significance of the game and how the team is approaching the final regular-season showdown.
Dan Campbell’s Surprising Take: ‘It’s Not Like It’s the Playoffs’
When asked if the team had taken a moment to appreciate the magnitude of the upcoming game, Campbell expressed excitement but emphasized the importance of staying focused on preparation. “I mean, I don’t know. Like I said, we’re all excited, I mean, this is exciting, but it’s not like it’s the playoffs,” Campbell explained. “So yeah, for where we’re at, it’s the next one and it is exciting, but it’s – we all know it’s still going to come down to the prep and we’ve got to put the work in. It’s going to start today, we’ll be out there in walkthrough, and then, man, you put your best foot forward and you give your guys all you can, you cut them loose and let them go make plays and see where you stack up. So, that’s the exciting part.”
Acknowledging the Importance, But Keeping Perspective
Despite the high stakes, Campbell downplayed the idea that the game’s magnitude was a distraction. “Yeah, well I don’t – I mean, I just think it is what it is. I mean, it’s – I don’t know, I don’t know how to answer it really. I mean, yeah, it’s big, it’s great, but it’s like – yeah, it is what it is,” he said, reiterating that while the game is important, it’s part of the larger process.
The Long-Term Goal: Super Bowl
Looking ahead, Campbell reflected on the team’s long-term goals, particularly the pursuit of the No. 1 seed in the NFC. “Well, I mean I think that was really – that was the end of last year. You come out of that game and feel like it gives you the best odds to get to where the ultimate is, which is, as we all know what the prize is, and that’s the Super Bowl,” Campbell said. “You try to set yourself up the best you can and that’s why you put those goals out there. So yeah, it’s been there for a while, so certainly this is something we want to do and we’ve had in our minds – division and one seed and all that, and it’s right here in our hands.”
The Lions will have the opportunity to clinch the NFC North and the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win over the Vikings, a game that promises to be a defining moment in the team’s season.
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