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via Getty

via Getty

The upcoming matchup against Aaron Rodgers and the team in Week 18 will be a matter of prestige for the Lions squad because they need a win badly. It doesn’t have anything to do with going into the playoffs, but slaying the future Hall of Famers’ arrogance remains the utmost priority.

The Lions’ first-year Safety Deshon Elliot recently bashed the Packers QB for allegedly disrespecting the team and downgrading their abilities. He didn’t mince words but instead vowed to give a befitting reply on Sunday’s game of foiling Green Bay’s aspirations for a playoff appearance.

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A few days ago, Rodgers took a dig at the entire Lions squad while speaking in the post-game press conference after sealing a win against the Rams. He corrected one of the reporters in the meeting, claiming that one of the teams is at .500, and hence it won’t be a difficult matchup. The Lions took it personally, and Eliot utilized the opportunity to call out the veteran.

“This means a lot because I feel like they don’t respect us,” Elliott said on Friday, per The ProFootballtalk. “[Rodgers] doesn’t respect us; that team doesn’t respect us. We shouldn’t be an underdog, no matter what the record says. Going out there, I think we’re going to fight our ass off, play smashmouth football, just cause of the respect factor.”

“Like, we all got here someway, somehow. Yeah, he’s a Hall-of-Famer, but I just don’t respect the way he’s been talking about my guys all year, and the way that team views us. So we’re going to go out there and prove something.” he added.

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The last time when the Packers faced Detroit, Rogers made a similar remark. Despite losing the game 15-9 at Ford Field and throwing three interceptions, the quarterback blamed himself saying, “we can’t lose a game like that against that team, no”. Hence, the rivalry has grown to another level, and precisely, it’s more of a personal thing now.

Deshon Elliot wants to show Aaron Rodgers who the big dog is

The Week 18 match-up happens to be a crucial game for both sides. Rodgers and Co. have improved their season record to 8-8, winning all five of the last seven games.

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Hence, a win is necessary for them to secure a playoff berth, just like how the Lions are desperate to make their first appearance after 2016. Apparently, Elliot’s primary focus is on achieving the goal, and A-Rod happens to be the primary target.

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“The way he carries himself. I don’t like none of that (stuff) so we got to go out there and show what we can do and show, who’s the big dog,” Elliott said in the interview. Indeed, the game is going to be an interesting one because the stakes are quite high. Fans can tune in for more updates related to this game.

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