On paper, the NFC was already a bit tougher than the AFC. Now, with the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and sacks leader taking his talents to the NFC West, the debate is settled. However, the Detroit Lions still like their chances.
Dan Campbell's team will look to get back on track after a disappointing season, and they can only focus on what they can control. Of course, watching potential playoff rivals get better is frustrating, but that's their business.
That's why the Lions' head coach couldn't be less interested in talking about the Los Angeles Rams' blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett. As Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reported, he just couldn't be bothered:
"Good for them. They've won it now, right?" he said, bluntly.
Dan Campbell knows the Lions have to focus on themselves after the Myles Garrett trade
Of course, that response doesn't mean that Campbell doesn't care about Garrett's arrival or that he's angry the Lions didn't get him. It just means that he'll focus on controlling what he can control and take care of his own football team.
You have to beat the best to be the best, and that shouldn't change the Lions' formula. Granted, Garrett is the best defensive player in the game and one of the five greatest headhunters in football history, but it's not like the Rams' pass rush wasn't a force to be reckoned with before his arrival.
Sean McVay's team still had Byron Young and Jared Verse lining up to take down Jared Goff. It was already challenging, and that game would require top-notch preparation and team effort regardless.
Even if that weren't the case, what was Campbell supposed to say? Did they want him to just lie down and play dead or say that there's no way to beat them anymore? This is football, and we've seen all types of surprises happen on any given Sunday.
The Lions weren't the team to beat before the Garrett trade, and they're not the team to beat now, but that's fine. They're still a Super Bowl contender and a team thirsty for revenge; this just gives them some more bulletin-board material.
This team should like their chances against anybody, and the Lions have never and will never back down from a challenge under Dan Campbell's watch. If anything, they might be too reckless for their own good at times. So, what's changed now? Lace them up and let's ball.
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