Detroit, MI
Dan Campbell not giving up on dream of having a live lion on sideline
Dan Campbell still wants a pet lion.
The Detroit Lions head coach said Monday on the “Pardon My Take” podcast that his hope for a sideline lion remains, but the NFL shut down the prospect of a live-animal mascot.
While team owner Sheila Ford Hamp may be onboard, the league certainly is not.
“Sheila, she had no problem with it, but the league apparently frowns on those types of things,” Campbell said.
“I’m not gonna point out Roger [Goodell] on this, I’m just gonna say the league frowns on that, let’s just say that.”
Shortly after Campbell was hired by the Lions in January 2021, the new coach mentioned the idea for a pet lion.
“I don’t think we’re going to be able to do it, but I would love to literally just have a pet lion,” Campbell said on “Pardon My Take” in 2021.
“Just a legit pet lion on a chain, a big ass chain, and he really is my pet. We just walk around the building, we go out to practice, we’re at 7-on-7, we’re behind the kicker when he’s kicking.”
Beyond the pet lion talk, Campbell also discussed the goals and direction of his 2023 squad.
Detroit hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2016, but the Lions seem poised to be a contender this season following last year’s 9-8 finish.
The Lions are the division favorites with +145 odds at FanDuel.
“To me, the message stays the same in the regard of, no, we didn’t win the division last year, Minnesota won it. Green Bay won it for years before that. So, to me, those are the kings in this division right now, and we have to go earn that,” Campbell said.
“We didn’t go to the playoffs last year, we’ve gotta earn that. So, to me, we’re still on the outside looking in and that’s what keeps us hungry.”
A lion mentality, one might say.
Detroit opens its 2023 campaign and the NFL season Sept. 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs with high expectations, but, to Campbell’s dismay, no pet mascot on the sidelines.
Detroit, MI
Predictions: Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers
Nolan Bianchi, John Niyo, Richard Silva and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News offer predictions for Thursday’s Lions-Packers game at Ford Field in Detroit (8:15 p.m., Fox, Amazon Prime/97.1).
▶ Nolan Bianchi: It’s not often you see an 11-1 team in a must-win game, but if the Lions are to uphold their aspirations of capturing the No. 1 seed in the NFC, this game is as close to a must-win as it gets. Green Bay is feeling awfully good about itself after winning three straight — the last two by double digits — and the Packers believe they were the better team in a 24-14 Lions victory at Lambeau Field in Week 9. Under those circumstances, I can’t help but go with a Dan Campbell-led team. He’s had the number of Packers coach Matt LaFleur since the 2022 season, and I don’t see this being a situation where Green Bay pounces on Detroit like they did in the Thanksgiving matchup at Ford Field between these teams a season ago. Detroit will be more than ready for the challenge after a close call with the Bears last week. Pick: Lions, 30-27
▶ John Niyo: The Lions have won five of the last six against the division-rival Packers. But that loss last year came at Ford Field, when Green Bay spoiled Detroit’s Thanksgiving with a wire-to-wire victory. This time, it’s a prime-time matchup with lots at stake and plenty of injury concerns for Dan Campbell’s team. That last part explains why Vegas has it essentially a toss-up aside from the home-field advantage. This looks like a different Green Bay squad than the one the Lions faced a month ago, as the Packers’ pass rush has emerged on one side of the ball, while Jordan Love has taken care of the football on the other. Unless Aaron Glenn’s crew finds a way to reverse that trend, their streak may be in jeopardy. Pick: Packers, 31-27
▶ Richard Silva: The Lions, despite their best start in franchise history, are far from a guarantee to win the NFC North, with the Packers and Vikings breathing down their necks. This matchup with Green Bay has obvious divisional implications, but it also matters in the race for the conference’s No. 1 overall seed; with a win, Detroit’s chances of earning the top spot will rise to 84%, per the New York Times’ playoff predictor. The question is whether this team can continue to overcome injury after injury. It’ll probably be close, but given the track record — Detroit is undefeated since losing Aidan Hutchinson, a feat that can’t be overstated — I’m not picking against head coach Dan Campbell’s squad. Pick: Lions 31, Packers 30
▶ Bob Wojnowski: It’s a blockbuster Thursday night game between two of the hottest teams in the league. The Lions have won 10 straight and the Packers have won seven of eight, with their only loss to the Lions. Difference is, Packers are among the healthiest and Lions are among the ouchiest (made-up word, I know). In the first meeting — the Lions’ 24-14 victory at Lambeau — Jordan Love was playing through a groin injury. In three straight wins since, he has a 69.1 completion percentage, five TD passes and one interception. Detroit’s injury-riddled defense will need all available resources, including the Ford Field noise. It starts with stopping Josh Jacobs, who’s rushed for 987 yards with a 4.5 per-carry average. The Lions certainly can match that with Jahmyr Gibbs (973 yards, 6.0) and David Montgomery (720 yards, 4.3). Jared Goff directs the NFL’s top-scoring offense, and improved red-zone efficiency will be paramount. Montgomery punches in two touchdowns and the Lions win a wild one. Pick: Lions, 32-29
Detroit, MI
Snow returning to Metro Detroit — Here’s how much to expect and when
NEWS
During the night and into the day Thursday, west/northwest winds will gust between 35 and 45 MPH and wind chill readings will plunge into the single digits by Thursday morning. Depending on how much road crews can clear and treat overnight, I would anticipate lingering slick spots Thursday morning, especially on side roads and elevated surfaces.
Detroit, MI
Metro Detroit high school boys and girls basketball scores from Tuesday, Dec. 3
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