Tag: NFL wildcard

Lions Dan Campbell says the real fun starts now; injury update on LaPorta, others

ALLEN PARK — The wildcard home matchup against the Los Angeles Rams excites Lions coach Dan Campbell. No surprise there. He lives for this.

The coach loves that the Rams are a hot team – they’ve won seven of their last eight. They are also a team the LIons haven’t faced since 2021, a regular season loss in L.A.

“I like that, I like the newness of it,’’ Campbell said on Monday.

The Lions wrapped up the regular season with a  30-20 win over the Vikings on Sunday at Ford Field and a 12-5 record. They clinched the NFC North title a few weeks ago.

“It’s been fun, but this is when it gets really fun. This is why you do, this is why you coach, why you play for these moments right here,’’ Campbell said.

While he is more into game-planning he certainly does understand the underlying storyline of Matthew Stafford returning to Detroit and Goff facing his former team. Oh, and GM Brad Holmes came to Detroit via the Rams.

The coach gets it.

“It’s a reminder too, though, and Goff knows this, for example. We win as a team,’’ Campbell said. “This is about the Lions vs. the Rams. We win with three phases here and he’s a huge part of that and all he has to do is his part and he knows that, do what he’s been doing all year.’’

Injury update

Tight end Sam LaPorta has an outside shot at playing on Sunday, according to Campbell. They will know more in 48 hours. LaPorta left Sunday’s game with a knee injury. The coach said he is  talking days, not weeks. 

Immediately after the game, Campbell said LaPorta’s injury wasn’t as bad as it looked. It would be a boost if he can get in against the Rams.

The coach also said WR/PR Kalif Raymond (knee) is basically in the same situation as LaPorta although maybe a little behind.

WR Jameson Williams, who did not play Sunday due to an ankle injury and illness, is expected back at practice this week and should be ready to play against the Rams. 

LB James Houston (ankle) will practice, but it’s unclear if he’ll be ready to go. TE Brock Wright (hip) could also practice this week after missing a month of play.

Also, DE John Cominsky was inactive Sunday because Campbell wanted to give him a rest. Said he’d put on a lot of hard miles this season with all the dirty work he does.

NEXT UP: Los Angeles Rams (10-7) at Detroit Lions (12-5), 8 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field in the wildcard playoff game.

Wildcard playoffs: Lions face Rams at 8 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field

Dan Campbell says Lions are ‘scarred to perfection’

Looking for Detroit’s first playoff win since Jan. 5, 1992, the Lions as the No. 3 seed, will face Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams in the first playoff game at Ford Field.

Take a deep breath. This could be a good one. Mark your calendar for 8 p.m. on Sunday.

“We’ll put in a good game plan, but as far as to get to this point, this team’s ready,’’ coach Dan Campbell said after the 30-20 win over the Vikings on Sunday. “They’ve been through it all, and they’re battle-tested, they’re scarred to perfection and we will be ready.”

In Dan Campbell’s first season (2021), the Lions lost to the Rams, 28-19, to drop to 0-7 for the season. That’s the only time the two teams have met since they swapped quarterbacks – Stafford for Jared Goff – prior to the 2021 season.

These Lions are much different two years ago with running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs replacing D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. Sam LaPorta (if he’s healthy to play) could add a spark as a rookie. Defensively, the Lions are much different with pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson and rookies Jack Campbell and Brian Branch, along with a host of others who have developed. Veterans C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Alim McNeill returned to action Sunday which Campbell called perfect timing. 

With the on Sunday, the Lions finished 12-5 and never lost back-to-back games. They’ve got flaws (hello, secondary) but the defense pressures quarterbacks, especially lately, and Goff has an arsenal of weapons with a high-powered offense that has set all kinds of franchise records.

The Rams (10-7) didn’t play their starters, including Stafford, on Sunday and beat the 49ers, 21-20. After a slow start to the season at 2-4, the Rams have won seven of their last eight and four straight games.

Stafford, who won a Super Bowl in his first season with the Rams, has thrown 24 touchdowns against 11 interceptions this season. They did not make the playoffs last season.

The Lions haven’t been to the playoffs since the 2016 season when, with Stafford as quarterback, they lost at Seattle in the wildcard game. They’ve lost nine straight playoff games. The Rams and Lions have never met in the postseason.