We’re rapidly nearing the end of the season and the Detroit Lions are sitting at 13-2 and are trying to lock down the number one seed.
This coming week they have a game against the 49ers that could either be a game in which they clinch that number one seed and the division title with a Vikings loss, or it could be a “meaningless game” if the Vikings win. Then the Week 18 game would be for all the regular season marbles.
The question that’s been coming around lately is could the Lions sit their starters for this 49ers game to make sure they go into the playoffs with full health?
The answer is a resounding “no.” Anything can change, but we know, especially from comments recently made by Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell, that the Lions just aren’t that into sitting starters unless it makes a ton of sense.
“You want to make sure that you end on a good note. You’re playing good, efficient football. The guys feel good about it. You’re in a rhythm. I think it bleeds into the next week, and I think that’s important. So we did that, and then the right time is to pull them out there, you know, if you’re able to pull them out in the early fourth grade, and we were able to do that. But if you’re asking me to pull somebody out the third quarter, or you’re asking me to pull somebody out right before the second quarter before Anzalone gets hurt, I’m never going to do that, ever.”
The part of that quote that leads you to believe there’s no way the Lions pull their starters for a game is the part where Campbell is saying that he believes the good play bleeds into the next week. If that’s the case, the last thing you want to do is anything that could affect that.
Taking the week off and then playing a high-level game and then possibly taking the next week off is not a great move. Getting healthy is important, but losing momentum can be a killer.
Lastly, Campbell was asked about the potential of benching starters for Week 18 last season when the Lions had the NFC North wrapped up and their chances of a higher seed were gone. His response was very simple.
“When we’re done with the season they’re going to rest. I promise you that, they’re going to get plenty of time off.”
It doesn’t get any more certain than that. Don’t expect to see the young guys get their own game at the end of the year.
Update: Campbell put it in plain English in his presser on Monday.