The Detroit Lions have been one of the most formidable teams in football this season, and though the offense has been extremely productive and dynamic, Aaron Glenn’s defense is the backbone of the team.
Despite losing 13 players to injured reserve, including superstar edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and linebackers Alex Anzalone and Malcolm Rodriguez, Detroit’s defense has been dominant, allowing just 18 points per game and 93.9 rushing yards per game this season, both ranking within the top five.
Due to their extraordinary play and next-man-up mentality, head coach Dan Campbell labeled his defense as the “Northern Savages” after the team’s Week 14 win over the Green Bay Packers.
“Those guys (Lions defense) just laid it on the line. Man, we call them the Northern Savages. They just roll right in the door, man.”
“Those guys just laid it on the line. Man, we call them the Northern Savages. They just roll right in the door, man.”
— Head coach Dan Campbell on the @Lions defense pic.twitter.com/w7erqqUW78
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 6, 2024
Campbell’s intriguing nickname for the defense has won over Lions players, as linebacker Jack Campbell spoke to the media on Wednesday and voiced his opinion on the nickname. The 2023 first-round pick stated that the nickname is ‘sick’ and fits the defense perfectly.
“We really are. You’ve just got a bunch of guys who are just out there flying around and having fun, so I’m going to keep going with the Northern Savage thing. I think that thing is sick,” said Campbell. “You’ve just got a bunch of hungry guys out there who are always looking to improve and just love the game of football.”
Linebacker Jack Campbell LOVES that Dan Campbell called the Lions defense “northern savages.”
“I just think that’s so bad—! I don’t even need a t-shirt, I’m just going to walk around like I’m a f—ing northern savage.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/0PY9Ko47l3
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 12, 2024
Detroit will need their hard-nosed defense to step up in Week 15, as the Lions host the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field in a potential Super Bowl preview on Sunday. Campbell’s squad is 12-1 and currently has sole possession of the No.1 seed in the NFC through 14 weeks, owning a one-game lead over the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings, who both sit at 11-2.
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