‘Golf clap’: Lions clinch playoffs, but Campbell and Co. want much more
Detroit ― Making the playoffs is nice, but that alone, frankly, is no longer that big a deal to these Lions.
That explains why head coach Dan Campbell didn’t even know his team had just qualified for the postseason until moments before his press conference, following the team’s 34-31 win over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.
“You know, listen, it’s good. It’s good. But it’s like, man, we’ve got four (games) left,” Campbell said. “Of course, we want in (the playoffs). We want in a different way. We want to go in on our own terms. We want to find a way to get this 1 seed, and that’s the priority. Certainly, you gotta win the division, and then get this 1 seed.
“We took a step closer to winning this division and doing what I just mentioned.”
With the win, the Lions (12-1) clinched consecutive postseason berths for the first time since 1993-95.
Getting the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs would guarantee the Lions home-field advantage as long as they’re alive, through the NFC Championship game, if they get to that point. And make no mistake, Ford Field, as loud as ever on Thursday night, is a definite home-field advantage. The crowd led to multiple Packers’ false-start penalties.
The Lions won their two home playoff games a season ago, then lost in the NFC Championship game on the road to the San Francisco 49ers.
The Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) and Minnesota Vikings (10-2) are chasing the Lions for that top seed.
“Listen, it’s great. We’re in the playoffs,” said Campbell, whose Lions have a 1½-game lead on the Vikings in the NFC North, and now a three-game lead on the Packers after sweeping the season series. “OK, that’s great. Golf clap.
“We know what we want to do, and we talk about this.
“We know what our goals are.”
The Lions finish the season hosting the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15, visiting the Chicago Bears on Dec. 22, visiting the 49ers in an NFC Championship rematch on Dec. 30, and hosting the Vikings in Week 18. That exact date for the regular-season finale remains TBD.
tpaul@detroitnews.com
@tonypaul1984
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