Detroit Lions coach Campbell talks Kevin Zeitler status, NFC Divisional game preparation
(FOX 2) - The Detroit Lions are two days out from their first playoff game of the season when they take on the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional round.
Fortunately for the Lions, it's at Ford Field, an environment which coach Dan Campbell said will be "the loudest they've (Washington) been in all year."
Campbell also had an injury update on Kevin Zeitler, the left guard, the team's mindset going into their next game, as well as the team's fanbase which stretches beyond Detroit and across the country.
Injuries: Kevin Zeitler:
Starting left guard Kevin Zeitler was out for Thursday's practice.
Dan Campbell said he had progressed every day but was the loan starter to sit out. If he is unable to start, then rookie Christian Mahogany would start in his place.
"We feel like we're in good hands," he said during Thursday's press conference.
Zeitler also missed practice earlier this week due to a hamstring injury he suffered earlier in the season.
No longer an underdog:
After last year's playoff run, Dan Campbell said one challenge for the team was how it would respond now that it was no longer an underdog going into the next season.
Instead of in key games or on the cusp of the playoffs, that mindset change happened much earlier in the season, the coach said.
"The biggest adjustment for us was training camp out in New York. That was the first real taste of the perception and I thought the Giants practiced hard, they brought it, it was a lot of energy, a lot of juice," he said. "That was good for us."
Owning a 15-2 record means the Lions will "get everybody's best shot" and "staying hungry" is the best way to stay competitive and win games.
Helping in that mission was the loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the conference championship in 2024. Campbell still remembers the second half of that game when the Lions blew a major lead they had spent the first half building up.
"I just think there's something about being in that moment, in that space, going through it with the core group of guys you have," he said. "More than anything, it's the experience of it."
A 'Sleeping Giant':
While not at the top of news stories in Detroit, there is burgeoning success coming from both the team's hockey and basketball teams.
The Red Wings earned a seven-game win streak after firing their head coach and are on the cusp of being back in the playoff picture in the NHL. Meanwhile, Cade Cunningham and the Pistons have shaken off a slow start and are earning win streaks of their own.
But both franchises have won the last game of the season. The Lions have not.
"One of the things that was appealing about playing here, wanting to play here and coach here is this is a sleeping giant for football," he said. "The Pistons have had success. Red Wings have had success. But the Lions have never had success.
"And just to be able to unlock everything - you know - this this is a sports town. And for everybody to feel like they're a part of it like, man, this is our team."
Some of that pent up energy can be felt in Ford Field, which has become one of the hardest places to win in the league.
Campbell predicted it would be tough for the incoming Commanders. While they have used techniques to get around the noise from an opponent's fans, this will be their first time in Detroit.