Lions HC Dan Campbell says team can break negative playoff streak
The Detroit Lions have painfully built one of the toughest records in the sport. Not hosting a playoff game since 1993 and not winning one since 1991 is an extremely tough pill to swallow for Lions fans everywhere. Fortunately, it looks like that painful streak could come to a close in 2023. The Lions don't […]
The Detroit Lions have painfully built one of the toughest records in the sport.
Not hosting a playoff game since 1993 and not winning one since 1991 is an extremely tough pill to swallow for Lions fans everywhere.
Fortunately, it looks like that painful streak could come to a close in 2023.
The Lions don't just look like they have become one of the best teams in the division, they look like one of the best teams in a weak NFC.
Based on massive improvements at most open positions and a great run to end the 2022 season, this team looks like it is ready to play, and Dan Campbell knows it.
He had the following to say about where the Lions are at and how the expectations have gone up for this team:
"I think we should feel that way. Our expectations should go up," Campbell told Pelissero. "The standards have always been there — we always have the standards, that's what everything has been built off of for three years now — but our expectations should go up. They should realize, 'Hey, man, we are good enough. We proved what we could do last year, and we're gonna be a better team this year.'
"Now, does that mean you're gonna win 13 games? No, it doesn't necessarily mean that. But all it means is, man, do whatever it takes to win your division. That's where it starts. Are we capable? Yeah, I think we'll be capable. Now it's a long time between now and then. But yeah, I think everything was working to this point to where, man, you hit Year 3, and now we're ready to go dance a bit. I love where we're at right now."
Those are the words of a coach that believes in what his team is doing. Those are the words of a coach that has faith in his team's ability to end one of the worst droughts in the sport.
Campbell is right; this team is good enough. There should be high expectations. Hosting and winning a playoff game isn't where the expectations for this team should lie, even if it would be a nice accomplishment.
The future is bright in Detroit. Dan Campbell knows it. The rest of the NFL world is about to start knowing it too.
