The Dan Campbell-led Detroit Lions mounted a strong comeback effort against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, but NFL MVP candidate Josh Allen, who was responsible for four touchdowns in the game, proved too much for the Lions to overcome.
Although the 48-42 loss to the Bills was the Lions’ second loss of the season, it did not knock Detroit off the top spot in the NFC. The Lions and Philadelphia Eagles enter Week 16 with 12-2 records.
But the Lions would not have been able to win 12 games without injury adversity.
Several Lions players suffered serious injuries during Sunday’s game. Campbell addressed the team’s plight during a regular appearance on Detroit’s 97.1 The Ticket. At one point during the conversation, a heated Campbell let loose with a few profanities.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half on Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
“You know, what happens is you get used to eating filet mignon – and I’m talking to all of us – and everything is good,” Campbell said. “Life is good, but you forget what it’s like to have nothing and you’re eating your damn sandwich. It’s fine and it gives you everything you need. Sometimes you have to get punched in the mouth and remember what it was like to really appreciate where you were before, and we’ll do that.”
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“We have a bad taste in our mouths. We got kicked the other day. We lost a couple of guys. And you know what? That’s exactly what we needed. That’s exactly what we needed.”
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Sept. 22, 2024. (Matt Kartozian/Imagn Images)
Campbell also said he doesn’t care how the Lions win, as long as his team has more points than their opponents at the end of the match.
“And I don’t care if we have to win by one point the rest of the year, that’s what we’re going to do,” Campbell added. “And I’m going to be happy about it. We come out of the game with 50 yards of total offense and we win by one point? You’re going to see a smile on my face. I promise you.”
“If on the other hand, defensively, we give up 700 yards and win by a point, you’re going to see a damn smile on my face, okay? I can promise you that. So we’re going to figure it out and we’re going to get it done.”
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell talks to players during the first half of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
In October, star quarterback Aidan Hutchinson suffered a fractured left tibia and fibula. The injury will likely keep him out for the rest of the season, but he could return to action in February if the Lions advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.
“We’re going to miss him, man,” Campbell admitted. “He’s one of the guys that got us to this point — helped get us to where we are. And the rest of us, we owe it to him to keep going and make sure it’s not in vain.”
The injuries will sideline defensive lineman Alim McNeill and defensive backs Carlton Davis and Khalil Dorsey for the rest of the season. Campbell also confirmed that David Montgomery will be out for the year with an MCL injury.
