Campbell: Now Is 'Perfect' Time to Play Cowboys
Fresh off clinching the NFC North division title, the Detroit Lions are celebrating by playing another playoff team in the Dallas Cowboys.
The Lions are expecting Saturday's game to be akin to a playoff atmosphere. Dallas has been exceptional at home, and has already locked up a spot in the postseason.
Both teams still have plenty to play for. The Lions are battling to earn a top seed, while the Cowboys are a game behind the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East race.
These motivators are setting up Saturday's tilt to be an exciting clash. While both teams have high stakes, the Lions also have an opportunity to gauge where they stand among the NFC's best, based on how they perform against Dallas.
“It’s perfect. You couldn’t write a better script. It gives you a real good idea of where you’re at, because this is one of the top teams in the NFC, it just is," Dan Campbell said. "We’re out at their place, where they play their best football. Their back is against the wall, so you’re gonna get their very best shot. Coach (Mike) McCarthy’s done a heck of a job with that team. I think it’s perfect, I really do. It is, we’ll find out exactly what it is, and then we’ll move on from there.”
Campbell has raised the expectations for the organization, both externally and internally, since taking over three seasons ago. The team displays a culture of toughness, while it's viewed by many among the league's best.
The culture has been on display this week, as many players quickly shifted their focus from winning the division to securing the best possible playoff seeding.
“I think it’s, you should want more. I think that’s what real competitors, that’s how you view things, man," Campbell explained. "It’s on to the next thing and how can we make it even better than it is? What’s the next task? What’s the next obstacle to overcome? I think that’s the mindset of our team. I think we’ve done a good job, the players have done a good job. The practices have been, we’ve been good."
Saturday's game against the Cowboys offers the Lions an opportunity to make another statement. With Dallas unbeaten at home, the game will be a chance for Campbell's team to prove its legitimacy as contenders in the postseason.
"We know we’ve got a big task here in front of us. This is a good team. They’re gonna be looking for a win, they play well at home," Campbell expressed. "That’s where you’re at. We’re in December, everybody’s playing pretty good football now, especially this team we’re getting ready to play. So, we’ve just got to play clean football, be ready to go.”
