Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell says his team will be facing the “ultimate competitor” on Sunday when they take on Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in a blockbuster NFL showdown.
The Lions host the Bills at Ford Field in a potential Super Bowl preview between two high-scoring teams whose respective quarterbacks are vying for Most Valuable Player honors.
Detroit quarterback Jared Goff has guided the Lions to a 12-1 record, at an average of 32.1 points per game, and another win on Sunday would leave Campbell’s team on pole position for the No.1 playoff seeding.
Bills counterpart Allen though has grabbed the spotlight with a string of dazzling performances, including a jaw-dropping display in last week’s 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, when he became the first player ever to rush for three touchdowns and pass for three more in the same.
That superhuman effort prompted Rams head coach Sean McVay to describe Allen as an “alien” while Detroit linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard said of Allen this week: “He is a freak.”
Lions coach Campbell believes that it is Allen’s competitive nature, in addition to size, strength and skill, that sets him apart from other quarterbacks.
“He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast, he’s explosive, and he’s competitive,” Campbell said of Allen.
“He’s got all these attributes, physical attributes, but it’s what’s inside of him. He’s the ultimate competitor. That’s what separates him from a lot of guys.
“He’s fearless and it’s why those guys play the way they do for him, because he just won’t give it up, he’s not gonna give it up and he’s gonna do whatever it takes to get the next first down, or get the touchdown.
“And when they need him in crunch time he’s gonna show up, and he just won’t give up. I think that’s what makes him who he is, his competitiveness.”
– Rushing threat –
Allen’s remarkable performance against the Rams last week saw him move clear of his rivals this week as an overwhelming favorite in the latest betting for MVP honors.
The Lions’ quarterback Goff is also part of the MVP race, but has his sights firmly set on team success rather than individual glory.
“I’ve been playing well but a lot of guys have been playing well,” Goff said this week.
“If you’re a quarterback on a good team, you’re probably going to be in that conversation and it’s a credit to all the guys on the squad.
“We’ve had a really good year up to this point, we’ve got to finish it off. Sure, it’s cool to be recognized in some ways but it doesn’t really mean anything. I want to be holding that trophy at the end of the year, and I know that’s what matters.”
While Goff poses an obvious aerial threat, the Bills will also have to contend with arguably the best rushing offense in the NFL in the shape of the Lions’ David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, who have combined for a total of 24 touchdowns this season.
Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich says Buffalo will need to go “back to our basics” on Sunday to contain Montgomery and Gibbs.
“I think a lot of people consider them as the best duo in the league, they’re certainly going to be a challenge,” Babich said.
“But I think our guys are up to the challenge, I believe they’re up to the challenge and they’re ready to respond.”
While the Bills and Lions have already assured themselves of postseason berths, other teams can join them in the playoffs this weekend.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) can punch their ticket if they pull off a victory in their daunting trip to the Philadelphia Eagles (11-2). A win for Philadelphia could see them clinch the NFC East, depending on results elsewhere.
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