Lions Must Put Defining Win Behind Them Quickly
The Detroit Lions secured a massive achievement Sunday with a win over the Minnesota Vikings, giving them their first division title in 30 years.
What makes the feat more impressive is the fact that there are still two games remaining in the regular season. With that goal locked up, however, the Lions are keeping their eyes on the future.
A showdown with Dallas is looming Saturday, and will carry significant playoff implications. A win boosts their chances at the No. 2 seed in the NFC, so remaining focused is paramount.
Third-year Lions coach Dan Campbell made it clear Tuesday that he's not satisfied with winning just the NFC North. As a result, he's making an effort to fight off any complacency that comes with the team having already locked up the division title.
"That's the biggest opponent right now for us, is really the satisfaction, complacency. That is what we're gonna fight from here on out. They're gonna know that, we'll have a meeting here in a little bit," Campbell said. "We've got smart guys, they understand that. All these questions, no different than -- and I understand why you'd ask it and it is a big story, because it's been 30 years. But, if we continue to talk about it and we answer them and we live in that moment, then we're not getting to the next thing."
While the feat is one that is certainly worth celebrating, the Lions are focused on winning against Dallas and then against Minnesota in Week 18. Doing so will put them in the best position possible to succeed in the postseason.
By emphasizing a quick turnaround and not dwelling on the pivotal achievement, Campbell is building a mindset that will be pivotal at the conclusion of the regular season.
"It's really no different than what happens in the playoffs," Campbell explained. "You win a big game in the playoffs, you don't have time to really enjoy it. You have to get ready for the next one. That's where we're at. It's a great thing. I wish we had more time to enjoy it, but we don't. We're off to the next one, and we've got to want more. We've got to stay hungry, or we won't be able to get the next one."
The Lions are treating the remainder of their season like the postseason. The concentration is on the next task at hand, which comes in the form of Dallas Saturday night.
While the Lions certainly enjoyed clinching the division title, but have now turned the page in an effort to maximize what they still have in front of them in the regular season and beyond.
"Yeah, I think (Campbell)'s exactly right. Yeah, we've got to move forward now," Goff said. "It was a fun 24 hours enjoying that, having a good Christmas and being able to enjoy the fan fare of all that was winning the division. But that's over, that's behind us now and now we've got another game to win in Dallas."
Notes
1.) Campbell clarified that the team is still mulling over whether or not to begin James Houston's return to practice clock this week. Initially, he said there was a "good chance" he practices this week. However, Campbell clarified that the team is still deciding.
"There's a chance we start it," Campbell said. "I made a comment this morning about it. We may, we may wait a week. He's close to starting the clock."
