Detroit Lions are not resting starters in regular season finale against Minnesota Vikings.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 John, as you know, Dan Campbell now has come out and said that the starters will play against
00:03 the Vikings on Sunday in the regular season finale.
00:06 What do you make of that being the case for the Lions going into Week 18?
00:10 Yeah, Vito, it makes sense and I understand the debate that fans are going to definitely
00:16 pay attention to and want to kind of discuss in regards to resting players.
00:20 The Lions, when they are completely healthy in regards to the offensive line, their offensive
00:24 skill players and on defense, are probably one of the most formidable teams in the league.
00:30 But if they sustain a couple injuries in a game against the Vikings, that could derail
00:35 the Lions' chances to win in the first round of the playoff.
00:38 So there's always going to be that debate, should NFL teams rest starters?
00:42 But unfortunately, for those that are in the camp that are pro-resting, the Lions still
00:47 have something to play for.
00:48 If the Lions win against the Vikings and the Cowboys and Eagles lose, the Lions still have
00:54 an outside opportunity at the number two seed in the NFC.
00:59 Now it's a long shot because the caliber of opponents that the Cowboys and Eagles are
01:04 going to face are not as talented as those two teams, the high-end leaders of the NFC.
01:09 You recognize that the Lions still have a lot to play for and Dan Campbell wants his
01:14 team sharp and he has said it clearly when this subject has been brought up before.
01:19 Look, the players will rest when the season's done.
01:22 Now it's an opportunity to grow and with a young football team, any opportunity that
01:27 you can have to play and perform for Jamison Williams, for Sam Laporta, for the young talented
01:34 players on defense, you recognize that all these players are gaining valuable experience.
01:39 Even in a game that we just saw against the Cowboys that resulted in a loss in controversy,
01:45 there's still so many things to learn about having had the experience of being in crunch
01:49 time and having chaos all around the team.
01:51 So that experience, Vito, on the road or at home against an NFC North Division rival,
01:58 all that experience can be banked and used by a young roster in the future.
02:02 So while I understand those that are pro-resting, I think for this football team, playing as
02:07 much as possible will be key, especially ahead of a nice, hopefully long, playoff run.
02:13 And John, as you know, Dan Campbell doesn't want to lose to anybody, let alone the Vikings
02:17 two divisional opponents.
02:18 So go out and beat the Vikings on Sunday.
02:20 John, thanks for all the time.