The Cowboys, once America’s team, are so yesterday.
How exactly does an NFL team turn itself into America’s team? Is there a caucus? A primary? Winning is key. Add in hard work, physicality, perseverance, humility and a super-sized dose of charisma.
As the playoff wins pile up it’s becoming more apparent, the Detroit Lions have claimed the once-elusive title of America’s team. Even the New York Post proclaimed “The Real America’s Team: Lovable Lions just one win away from Supe after beating Bucs.”
It’s been a journey which may have started when coach Dan Campbell attracted fans through the up-close examination of all that is Honolulu Blue via HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”
It ramped up when they won eight of their final 10 games in 2022 after an 1-6 start.
It hit new heights when an electrified Ford Field, during wins over the Rams and Bucs, caught the eye of NFL fans who love to cheer for the underdog.
And now, here the Lions are one win away from the Super Bowl. It’ll be a tough matchup at the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday but coach Dan Campbell said they will be ready.
None of this was an accident.
“We were intentional about being about grit and earning it. … We went through darkness and it shaped us for this moment,’’ GM Brad Holmes said in the locker room immediately after the wildcard win over the Rams.
Before that game – the franchise’s first playoff win in 32 years – Campbell said his bunch was “scarred to perfection.”
Not convinced? Five reasons why the Lions are America’s Team:
1. The quarterback. Jared Goff may be a California guy at heart, but he’s got ice in his veins – the perfect temp for a quarterback. He lived through a 3-13 season in 2021 and came out better for it. He’s loved by his teammates, the coaches and the fans. A fan video appeared on Facebook after the Rams win of Goff in an SUV passenger seat leaving Ford Field, the windows down and a fan yelling “You’re the King of Detroit.” Actually Goff said that happened after the win over Denver, but it indeed happened. The sentiment remains the same.
2. The coach. Dan Campbell was the perfect man for this monumental turn-around. He’s got the respect of the team because he respects them. When he screws up – and he has at points – he’s the first to admit it. He’s famous for his “biting kneecaps” comment when hired, but perhaps that is just what needed to be said. He and Holmes have a profile for players they seek and it’s not all about football. It’s about the type of people and if they’ll fit in. “This will be an outstanding test for us but it’s one we’re ready for, we’re built to handle this,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday in preparation for facing the 49ers.
3. The bad boy. Aidan Hutchinson, in just his second season, is all about pressure. His spin move has become his trademark. In the two playoff games he was good for three sacks, eight quarterback hits and 10 tackles. He’s about attitude too. Campbell said his defense is a salty group and that description definitely fits Hutchinson. Before he played an NFL snap he came to the forefront with his rendition of “Billie Jean” on “Hard Knocks.” Many fans have a special place in their heart for him because of his Maize and Blue roots. Honorable mention to Kerby Joseph, one tough football-playing dude, and linebacker Alex Anzalone who leads the defense in tackles.
4. The rookies. Tight end Sam LaPorta, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, linebacker Jack Campbell and safety Brian Branch were expected to contribute right away. They have and they’ve just gotten better as the season and playoffs have worn on. LaPorta, who had a touchdown catch against the Rams, finished with nine catches against the Bucs in the divisional round setting a single-game NFL postseason record among rookie tight ends. The speedy Gibbs has rushed for a TD in each of the first two playoff games. DB Brian Branch opened the season with an interception returned for a touchdown and has kept up the intensity. In the two playoff games he has combined for 16 tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss. LB Jack Campbell has grown into his role with Dan Campbell saying that his best game to date was in the win over the Vikings to end the season.
5. The fans. Go ahead, name a better fan base. I’m waiting. They’ve lived and died with their team since the last playoff win on Jan. 5, 1992. New coaches, new GMs, Hall of Famers retiring early – they’ve lived through it all. Then there was the promise of a new season at every training camp. A 3-13-1 inaugural season for Campbell who was a tight end for the Lions in 2008 during their 0-16 season. This season the fans at Ford Field (and on the road) have been amazingly loud and electric and they took it up a notch during the two home playoff games. Perhaps ESPN’s Steve Levy, who was at Sunday’s game said it best on ‘X’: Ford Field yesterday was the loudest stadium I’ve ever been in. And yet the silence, when the Lions were on ‘Goffense’ was remarkable. Fewest visiting fans I’ve ever seen at a major sporting event. Might just be the best gameday experience in the NFL. Well done Detroit.”
Lions Lowdown 