We Delivered Body Blows – Dan Campbell Hyped for His Lions’ Squad as Clutch Defense Stops In-Form Baker Mayfield & Bucs

HC Don Campbell is a happy man after the Lions’ outstanding performance in Detroit. The Lions have won 31-23 Divisional against the Bucs and will play the NFC Championship game against the 49ers. However, the battle was not one-sided and things went down to the wire. It was the Lions’ defense that kept Baker Mayfield and Co. in check, thus gaining Campbell’s admiration.

The game was tied until the start of the fourth quarter. The Lions held their cool at the right moments and maintained the pressure. Cambell acknowledged the same and gave his insights in the post-match presser.

Dan Cambell proud of his team’s defense

First, he appreciated the Bucs, “Baker I thought played really well, I got a ton of respect for coach Bowels and what he has done with them, that was a tough team, somewhat a mirror age of us.” He acknowledged that his team played ruthlessly, “We delivered body blows, and you know ultimately we did what we had to do to win that game.”

He further stated, “There is nothing easy about it and to be able to win the playoffs and do what we did.” He admired his team for battling injuries and coming back when the team needed them the most, “Like Branch (safety) man, battling from injury, get back out there and help us win a game, just so you know it speaks volumes.”

Branch sustained a wrist injury in the week 18 clash. He came back and produced a game-winning performance that included 8 tackles and one sack. Campbell noticed the game-winning interception by Derrek Barnes further and said, “Huge pick there at the end, game on the line and I thought our defense played outstanding.” 

The defense had four total sacks and two interceptions that proved too much for Mayfield and his brigade to overcome.

The game-changing interceptions

While Jared Goff didn’t conceive a single INT, Mayfield went for two and that made all the difference. In the first quarter itself on the Bucs’ opening drive, Mayfield threw a bullet to WR Mike Evans. He took a little more time to jump, and the Lions’ defense intercepted the ball.

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In the end, the Lions, had the lead but the Bucs’ had the possession. With less than two minutes remaining, Barnes intercepted Mayfield again and sealed the deal for the Lions’ emphatic victory in their home ground.

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