We’re heading into Week 11 of the NFL, and one of the games features one of the best teams in the NFL up against one of the lowest-ranked teams. Not to be mean or rude, but it’s always an interesting thing when a team ranked No. 1 or 2 in the NFL is up against a team at the bottom of the tally.
The Detroit Lions are ranked No. 1 or 2 in most power rankings. They take on the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are tied for the worst league in the NFL, on Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern time.
The Lions are 13-point favorites, but in the NFL, all teams are strong, so anything could really happen.
Coach Dan Campbell seems to know that stranger things have happened than bottom-ranked teams upsetting higher-tier teams. He’s ready, and the guys are, too.
“We’re going to get everybody’s best shot and you have to understand that,” Campbell said Friday speaking to press in Allen Park. “We have to assume we will get the best version of what they are and what they’re capable of. And so with that, we have to be on our game, and it really is about yourself and it’s about the details to what we do. And what we put in for this opponent, it’s about the why, ‘Why are we doing what we’re doing?’ And the how, ‘How are we going to do it?’ That’s really the starting point with this week or any team.”
Following the Jacksonville game, the Lions (8-1) head to Indiana to play the Indianapolis Colts (4-6) next Sunday. Then, they come home to host the Chicago Bears (4-5) on Thanksgiving.
Also speaking to press, defensive tackle Alim McNeill said talked about how the Lions won’t let the Jags’ dismal record give them false confidence.
“When somebody could lay down, you think you got a team that’s not as good or whatever, and the record doesn’t say they’re as good, that’s how you get got,” McNeill said. “So I don’t believe in it personally. I don’t think nobody else here does, either. We always talk about that, how we need to come in this week the same as we prepare for every other week, it’s never going to change no matter who it is. Cause Jacksonville could come out firing, you never know.”
Switching gears to who will play on Sunday, the Lions acquired Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns at the trade deadline. He’s expected to debut on Sunday. Campbell also discussed how Smith can help the team in unique ways.
“I think that the guy is, there’s things that he’s gonna be able to do in one-on-ones that I do believe are gonna show up. But I think there’s gonna be a lot that fans don’t see that’s gonna pay huge dividends for us,” Campbell said. “Even yesterday, just the third downs and watching him work, man he’s a pro…Would I love to see six sacks? Yeah, absolutely. But no, so don’t come out of this game going, ‘He didn’t get six sacks. What are we doing?’ He’s gonna help us, and that’s gonna be evident,” Campbell explained. “It was good to see him yesterday, he’s gonna help us big time.”
All this said, it’s possible Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could actually end up with the Jags next season.