Head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media Monday as the Lions prepare to host the Washington Commanders at Ford Field Saturday night in the Divisional Round of the NFC playoffs.
The Lions were at the Meijer Performance Center Monday to lift and have a team meeting, and they'll begin on-field preparations for the Commanders starting Tuesday.
"We're in the middle of the circus, man, and it's about time to perform," Campbell said.
Here are all the key questions from Campbell's Monday press conference:
What was the biggest benefit of earning the No. 1 seed and the bye through the first round of playoffs?
Sure, the rest is good and could help some of Detroit's injured players heal up in time for Saturday, but Campbell said the real benefit was just the free ride into the Divisional Round. It's a numbers thing for Campbell. They have to play one less game than everyone else in the NFC to get to the Super Bowl.
How nice is it knowing who the opponent is instead of having to wait for Monday Night's outcome between LA and Minnesota?
Campbell said he was keeping notes as best he could off the broadcast during Washington's game vs. Tampa Bay and when the Commanders pulled off a walk-off win, Campbell, the coaches and the support staff were able to really start going to work.
"Really it's been full force today," Campbell said. "Get in early and start going. We're going to have plenty of time to game plan and get a really good feel of who this opponent is and put a really good plan in."
Speaking of the opponent, how fun is it to game plan for an opponent the Lions haven't faced this season?
The Lions and Commanders didn't play each other in the regular season this year. Of the four potential opponents the Lions could have hosted in the Divisional Round – Washington, Green Bay, LA Rams and Minnesota – Washington was the only one they didn't play in 2024.
"There's a level of excitement," Campbell said. "Part of it is you see another team you've faced twice let's say, you know each other. You know them, they know you and it's a different level of game planning because you are into that third level of chess.
"Whereas the opponent you haven't faced yet, that's exciting too because you don't entirely know them, and they don't entirely know you. You just know each other from afar. So, know your kind of starting from scratch. That's really exciting, too."
Campbell said whatever way it would have worked out would have been cool and fun, but he likes this matchup in particular because it's fresh. He likes the newness of it. Campbell is somewhat familiar with Washington head coach Dan Quinn. When Quinn was coaching in Atlanta and Campbell was in New Orleans, they crossed paths quite a bit as division opponents.
How good will it be to get running back David Montgomery back in the lineup this week?
Campbell confirmed Monday Montgomery is set to return Saturday vs. the Commanders after missing the last three games with a knee injury.
Jahmyr Gibbs has been terrific carrying the load in Montgomery's absence as he was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for December and January. With Montgomery back, the Lions have a tough, between-the-tackles chain mover to complement Gibbs' speed and big-play ability. The Lions' rushing attack is at its best when Gibbs and Montgomery are on the field together.
"No. 5 is a big part of us," Campbell said. "He's a huge part of us. To me, he's a bell cow. He's somebody that is a tone-setter. He's a catalyst. There's a place for him here and a place for him in this game."
View photos of the Detroit Lions' We Want More Tour presented by Bud Light.
The "We Want More Tour Bus" activation in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The Spirit of Detroit with a Detroit Lions jersey in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans with Detroit Lions Cheerleaders and Detroit Lions Mascot Roary enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" activation in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The Spirit of Detroit with a Detroit Lions jersey on in front of the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans with Detroit Lions Mascot Roary enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" activation in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The Spirit of Detroit with a Detroit Lions jersey in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" activation in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans with Detroit Lions Cheerleaders and Detroit Lions Mascot Roary enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" activation in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Mascot Roary enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" activation in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Mascot Roary enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" activation in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cookies inside the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" activation in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" activation in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" activation in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" activation in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Cornhole set up outside the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans with Detroit Lions Mascot Roary enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Activation giveaway items outside the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans with Detroit Lions Mascot Roary enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans with Detroit Lions Cheerleaders enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Mascot Roary enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans with Detroit Lions Cheerleaders enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Cheerleaders with Detroit Lions Mascot Roary enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans enjoying the "We Want More Tour Bus" activation in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans outside the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans outside the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans outside the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans outside the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans outside the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans outside the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans outside the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans outside the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans outside the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans outside the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans outside the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans outside the "We Want More Tour Bus" in Detroit MI on January 6, 2025. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
What does Campbell think of the job Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has done this season?
When Campbell watches Daniels play, he doesn't see a rookie quarterback. It's probably the reason Daniels is the only starting rookie quarterback still playing in the playoffs.
"He is dangerous," Campbell said of Daniels. "He poses a major threat because he does not play the position like a rookie quarterback. He's composed, he understands how to progress, he sees the field well and he can bide time with his legs. He's a dangerous runner. He's smart and you can tell he knows how to run that offense."
Daniels threw for 268 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions and led the Commanders' running attack with 36 yards in the win over the Bucs.
During the regular season, he completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,568 yards with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions with a 100.1 passer rating. He also rushed for 891 yards and six touchdowns.
The Lions are 2-1 this season against mobile quarterbacks. Buffalo's Josh Allen handed them a defeat in Week 15, but the defense was able to contain Kyler Murray in Week 3 and Anthony Richardson in Week 12.
