The Lions’ focus on reducing noise fuels their attempt to avoid back-to-back losses

ALLEN PARK – After their 1-6 start to the 2022 season, the Detroit Lions have shown their ability to bounce back from defeat – a trait not traditionally associated with the franchise.

Since that rocky start, the Lions have avoided two straight defeats and shown their resilience by shaking off last week’s result and taking care of business next week. This bounce-back mentality is another example of the culture Dan Campbell has instilled since taking over as head coach in 2021.

It was no surprise to Campbell that his team bounced back from a loss to the Bills in Week 16 with a lopsided win over the Bears.

“It’s really what all these guys, everyone on this team, is made of – from the coaches to the players that we acquire and bring in – and it’s really because of the people,” Campbell told reporters this week. “So I will always use (Amon-Ra) St. Brown as an example, but it is very important to get the bad taste out of your mouth by forgetting and cleaning up the mistakes and not accepting what happened,” it says never: “Go into the tank and lose confidence.” You want to compete. And I just think we have a whole group of those people.

“That’s what we’re made of, that’s what our locker room is made of, from our quarterback to Frank (Ragnow) to (Penei) Sewell to (Taylor Decker) Deck – I can go on and on down the list.” Defensively, all the guys that are over there, Kerby (Joseph), (Brian) Branch, Amik (Robertson) – I mean, we can keep going, but that’s really it. These are our guys, and our best players are our hardest workers and our most resilient players. If that’s the case, you’re usually likely to recover.”

After the 48-42 loss to the Bills, there were concerns about the Lions’ Super Bowl chances. The defeat exposed expected gaps in their patchwork defense and cost three other key players – Alim McNeill, Carlton Davis and Khalil Dorsey – serious injuries.

Campbell was careful to keep his players focused and ensure they didn’t overreact to a single loss.

One of those players is Jared Goff. Before Sunday’s game at Soldier Field, the Lions quarterback acknowledged the outside chatter but emphasized what sets this team apart from previous Lions squads.

“If we reacted like everyone else, we wouldn’t have a chance. This season – we’re done. That’s what everyone says,” Goff said. “But no, we’re in great shape. I think it’s just a testament to the guys we have, our coaches and the way we respond. The way we go about it every day and every week – really with the intention of getting back on track if we get off track for a moment.”

Penei Sewell, a vocal leader and cornerstone of the franchise since 2021, expressed similar sentiments.

“At the end of the day, you have to focus on the next task at hand,” Sewell told MLive. “Even during the week, after the game, when you come in on Monday, it’s about winning that day and moving on from there.

“You just have to tune out all the noise, tune out everything else and just focus on everyday life.”

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