The Detroit Lions turned in their most complete performance of 2021 this afternoon against the 10-3 Arizona Cardinals, dominating their guests by a 30-12 final to earn their second victory of the season and improve to 2-11-1.
BIG win for the @Lions! #OnePride #AZvsDET pic.twitter.com/u1GJZn4qWc
— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2021
Quarterback Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes, while cornerback Amani Oruwariye found himself on the highlight reel thanks to a spectacular interception of Cardinals QB Kyler Murray.
Following the game, head coach Dan Campbell was understandably in a good mood.
“All right man, that was fun,” Campbell stated right off the bat in his post-game presser.
Really in all three phases across the board, the minute it felt like something would go the wrong way, we tilted it back in our favor. I'm proud of those guys. It was the next man up mentality, we did a good job today across the board. As a team, I'm proud of them.”
Of course, as previously stated, one of the game's top highlights was Oruwariye's interception of Murray that directly lead to a Lions touchdown on the next play.
“It was a huge play by Amani, it tilted it back in our favor,” Campbell said. “It was huge.”
It's certainly been a difficult year for the Lions, who are in competition for the top overall draft pick next spring. But the players aren't rolling over as the schedule winds down, and Campbell sees it.
“This is what we're trying to build around,” Campbell said. “These guys bought into it – they've bought in all year, but it's just been that's what got us over the edge. It's been about figuring out what can keep the momentum in our favor. We executed the game plan perfectly, it was a great job by our coaches putting it together as well as the players stepping up. They don't care who we're playing, they were ready to go. They believe. Shoot man, that's all you can ask.”
“I was proud of them.”
The Lions will now prepare to meet the Atlanta Falcons on December 26 at Ford Field.
– – Quotes via Detroit Lions Link – –
