The Detroit Lions, realistically, could opt to rest their starters for Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings as a way to save momentum and stay healthy for the playoffs.
Judging by the voices of some Lions players, though, the NFC North champions aren’t thinking about rest. Rather, they’re thinking about taking out frustration on their remaining opponents following the controversial finish from Saturday.
Aidan Hutchinson Among Detroit Lions Motivated by Dallas Loss
As most of the NFL world knows by now, Detroit lost to the Dallas Cowboys in a highly controversial fashion.
The Lions watched their two-point conversion get wiped away due to an “illegal touching call” on the very player who scored the extra-points try, offensive lineman Taylor Decker. The explanation from referee Brad Allen via Calvin Watkins of the Pro Football Writers Association was that Dan Skipper, not Decker, was the lineman who reported as eligible to receive a pass.
However, the Lions offered a counterargument saying Decker did report as eligible. Decker himself told reporters the opposite story of Allen’s explanation.
But now, four days after the much debated baffling officiating decision, Pro Bowl edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson fired off a warning to future Lions opponents — including the thought of a Cowboys rematch.
“This is only going to motivate us,” Hutchinson told his teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown on the wide receiver’s podcast The St. Brown Brothers through the 33rd Team. “If we play Dallas again in their place, there’s so much confidence knowing that we should’ve won that game.”
Hutchinson also ripped Allen’s call, saying, “It was a stupid call. It is what it is.”
St. Brown admitted he couldn’t believe there was a yellow marker thrown on the field as he was celebrating with Decker. The Pro Bowl wide receiver was another who was vocal about the Lions’ plans moving forward.
“I just want to f—— run through a brick wall,” St. Brown bluntly said to Hutchinson. “God damn, I’m ready.”
Dan Campbell Gives Fiery Response Two Days After Cowboys’ Defeat
It’s not just Hutchinson and St. Brown who are more motivated than ever after that much-debated Dallas loss.
Head coach Dan Campbell stormed out of his postgame presser following the loss to the Cowboys. Two days later, the verbose head coach fired off his own warning sign to the rest of the league.
MORE: NFL Playoff Bracket 2023 — AFC/NFC Playoff Seeds and Matchups as of Week 17
“I’m good. I woke up yesterday. I’m ready, man. I’ve got controlled fury, and I’m ready to go,” Campbell told reporters on New Year’s Day. “I’m absolutely ready to go.”
He walked into a Lions locker room which felt the same way he did.
“We’re on a mission. We’re not going to feel sorry for ourselves and wallow in everything,” Campbell said. “We had plays to make, and we didn’t make them. It’s a tight game, a good opponent, playoff-type atmosphere, and you’ve got to make that one extra play that we didn’t.”
Still, Campbell has filled up his gas tank and is clearly on premium unleaded with the rest of his team as the postseason soon awaits.
“We will use this as fuel,” Campbell said. “I’ve got pure octane right now. I woke up, and I’m ready. So we’re moving forward.”
Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more!
