Dan Campbell: We’re in the middle of the circus and it’s time to perform

The Lions find themselves in an unfamiliar position heading into their playoff opener against the Commanders this week.

As the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Lions are favorites to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history and will have the eyes of the football world on them as they try to deliver the way they have all season. . On Monday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell was asked how he thinks his team will handle the new circumstances they find themselves in this week.

“We’ve had attention for four years here,” Campbell said at his press conference. “I mean, there’s been more things that have been done that have been built in one way, we’ve been so good, we’ve been so bad, we’re laughable, now we’re great, and it’s just been this rollercoaster of ups and downs, and it’s the next week, you know what I mean? And it’s nothing new we’re in right now. It’s nothing new for me, for the coaches, for the players is in the middle of the circus, man, and it’s on to be time to perform. That’s the world we’re in.”

Being at the center also means expectations are higher than they have been in the past, and Campbell was asked if this season needs to end with the Lombardi Trophy to be considered a success. Campbell said “everything is about this game right now” and that all thoughts will be on Washington until there is reason to focus on another opponent.