The Detroit Lions have a difficult path to return to the playoffs, and head coach Dan Campbell knows that it starts with just one task.
The Lions saw their playoff hopes drop to 27% after last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams, forcing them to win out in their final three games for a shot at the postseason. Campbell addressed his team’s odds this week, saying the team can do nothing but focus on their next game and hope the other pieces fall into place.
Lions Path Starts With Aaron Rodgers
The Lions start their final stretch of games with Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, needing a win against a team also fighting for their playoff lives. Campbell had a four-word message for his team, saying they must put in the work to win the only game ahead of them right now.
”Go to work, man. ….That’s the message,” Campbell said. “Don’t worry about the what-if’s. Yeah, we gotta win. So be it. (Expletive), we wanted to win Week 1, we wanted to win Week 2, we wanted to win Week 8, we wanna win this one. …Let’s go find a way to win a game.”
Campbell acknowledged that the Lions would need to win all of their final three games, stressing that it would need to start on Sunday against the Steelers and hope the momentum builds from there.
“You can’t have a streak without winning the first one,” Campbell said.
The Lions could have a slim path to the playoffs if they lose to the Steelers, with The Athletic giving them a 41% if they fall on Sunday but go on to beat the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears in their final two games.
Lions Look for Turnaround From Two Defensive Players
While the Lions have gotten some consistent play from their offense, especially quarterback Jared Goff, they have struggled at times on defense. Campbell said this week that defensive tackle Alim McNeill knows he has struggled and hopes to shore up his play over the final three weeks.
“I know Mac feels like he can play better,” Campbell said, via SI.com. “He holds himself to very high standards. We know there’s more in there, you know. And sometimes there’s a lot of things that go into it. Sometimes, you process things a little too much, instead of cutting it loose. You know, you’re thinking about the look. What is formation? All these things. I know he believes he can play better. And we all do. So, he’s going to go back to work. And he’ll be alright.”
Campbell added that cornerback D.J. Reed has struggled as well, but noted that the team’s scheme often leaves defensive backs on their own without help, increasing the pressure on them.
“Well those guys, they’re put out on an island,” Campbell said. “And I know everybody knows that. They’re like quarterbacks. You get out there and there’s nowhere to run, nor to hide. And so, you’re not going to win all those battles. And sometimes things don’t go your way, and you may have a little bit of a stretch.”
Dan Campbell’s 4-Word Message to Lions as Playoff Elimination Looms