Detroit Lions Recently Missed Their Are March Competition In…
ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions remain awfully healthy heading into their divisional-round playoff game against Tampa Bay, missing only punt returner Kalif Raymond and backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater at their final practice of the week. Bridgewater also was excused from a practice last week due to personal reasons, and now is out again as the Lions put the finishing touches on their game plan for Tampa Bay. It’s unclear what exactly is going on, but the good news is Jared Goff hasn’t missed a play all season due to injury. Bridgewater has played only three snaps, all to take knees that finished a rout against Carolina on Oct. 8.
But he’s been a tremendous influence in the locker room, particularly for younger players like rookie quarterback Hendon Hooker and second-year receiver Jameson Williams, and his presence will be missed after the season. He’s expected to retire after Detroit’s playoff run ends. Raymond hasn’t practiced since suffering a knee injury in the regular-season finale against Minnesota, although head coach Dan Campbell expressed hope there might be a chance he returns against Tampa Bay. Game designations are due by 4 p.m. today.
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The Detroit Lions will play one of the biggest games in franchise history this weekend. They haven’t made it to the Super Bowl and only have one Championship Game appearance. The only thing standing in their way now is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With that in mind, NFL legend Michael Irvin believes they have every single thing they need to get over the hump. Talking on “Undisputed,” the Dallas Cowboys legend stated that the Lions have a fierce home crowd that is going to make it miserable for the Buccaneers with all that noise, adding that they have the right direction to get past this team.
Truth be told, it’s hard to think that the Lions have come all this way this fast. People were mocking Dan Campbell’s speeches just a couple of years ago, but he had a vision, and the front office trusted him. Fast forward to today, and the most important thing about this project is that it’s sustainable for the long run; it’s not a one-off. Regardless of what happens next, the Lions are going to be back in postseason contention for years to come as long as they keep this core of players and have Campbell calling the shots, and that’s something not many teams can brag about.
