ALLEN PARK — It all comes down to this. The city of Detroit is primed to bring home an NFC Championship and a spot in the Super Bowl.
Newfound fans — young, old and in-between — have found something to love in this bunch of Lions who already have found more success than teams for more than three decades
The Lions face the favored 49ers at San Francisco at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. They’re preparing like it’s another game, not one that has so much on the line.
“We’re right where we need to be, the minute you start trying to make this greater than it is which is another football game right in front of you, you prepare the same way, you practice the same way, you put your socks on the same way, that’s when you run into problems,’’ coach Dan Campbell said on Friday.
Campbell, in his third season, has been the catalyst for the turn-around. He’s earned the total respect of the players who would run through walls for him.
Quarterback Jared Goff said the coach’s super power list would be long, but it starts with his people skills.
“The No. 1 thing that I think about with him is his emotional intelligence, how well he can read the room and know people. That would be characteristic No. 1 of being a leader and why he is so good at that,’’ Goff said on Friday.
“He knows when to push, when to pull, when to tell you he needs a little bit more from you, when to love you up. He’s got such a great feel for all of that which is why he’s so special,’ Goff added.
The love and respect between Goff and Campbell is mutual. The coach expects the best on Sunday from Goff who has a Super Bowl appearance with the Rams on his resume.
“He’s going to be great. I really – I feel great about Goff. He’s the least of my concerns. He’s going to be just fine. For him, he’s done this before. He understands it. We’re back on the road, and it’ll be a loud environment,’’ Campbell said.
“But I mean, we’ve – man, we’ve been in some big games on the road over the last year and a half and he’s performed well. And look, we threw a ton on him last week. And I know it was at home, but we put a lot on his plate. As advanced as that defense was, all the different things they do, that required that he take on a heavy load to get us in the right play, find the matchups, read coverage and he was outstanding with that. And so, he’s going to be fine. He’s going to be ready to go, so I’m not worried about that.”
Jar-ed Goff, Jar-ed Goff
While Goff was not at the Red Wings game on Thursday night, the fans there were doing the Jar-ed Goff chant that started weeks ago at Ford Field. Videos were sent to Goff.
“That was pretty cool. … Pretty fun to be a part of a city that cares so much,’’ Goff said on Friday.
Injury update
As expected G Jonah Jackson (knee) and WR/PR Kalif Raymond (knee) are out. QB Hendon Hooker (tooth) and CB Chase Lucas (illness) are questionable.
Linebacker Alex Anzalone (shoulder/ribs) and center Frank Ragnow (ankle, toe, knee, back) will play.
“Frank’s doing well. Frank will be ready to go. You’re not going to hold him out of this one, he gets better every day. He’ll be ready,’’ Campbell said on Friday.
Lions Lowdown 