The Detroit Lions are in a tough spot when it comes to making the postseason, and they need to firmly look ahead to their game against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, December 21, at Ford Field. But, it’s also okay to reflect on the past, and looking back on the team’s game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, December 14, which they dropped 41-34, one Rams player is actually in trouble with the NFL for what he did in that game against the Lions.
After the Lions’ loss to the Rams, Detroit head coach Dan Campbell said his message to the team was “don’t go numb to when you get these losses. You know, the win, lose, win, lose. Like we got to get out of that rut, and it can’t be okay.”
“It should burn at you, you know?” he added in the postgame press conference. “It should eat you up. And do not go numb to the losing. The staff and I, we’re going to come in, we’re going to watch this thing together tomorrow. All of us, in all three phases. Watch everything from top down. The players, ourselves. Make those corrections and then move on. It’s as simple as going back to work.”
NFL Hands Down Punishment After Detroit Lions Game
During the NFL season, each Saturday, the league hands down punishments to players for actions taken during the previous week’s games. The NFL states on their official website that these actions are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.” Plus, ahead of the season’s start, the NFL and NFL Players Association agree on the set of game-related rules violations that result in these accountability measures, so everything is decided before the first kickoff.
On Saturday, December 20, the NFL announced a punishment for Los Angeles Rams safety Jaylen McCollough. He’s being fined $5,361 for “unnecessary roughness” for “use of the helmet” at the 13:06 mark in the first quarter of their game against the Lions.
According to the NFL’s rules book, funding raised from those fines will go to the Professional Athletes Foundation to “support legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.” So, it’s for a good cause.
If McCollough wants to appeal the decision, he can. “Players are notified of violations and may appeal any ruling,” the NFL says in their official rules book. “Cases are heard by appeals officers and former NFL players, Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster or Jordy Nelson, who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL/NFLPA. The decisions made are final and binding.”
Dan Campbell Sends Message Before Pittsburgh Steelers Game
After the Lions’ loss to the Rams, Campbell said that team has to “get better with Pittsburgh coming into town.”
“We got to play better. An now we know, you now have firsthand knowledge of what probably the top of the NFC looks like right now,” he added regarding the Rams and the strength of that team. “That’s them. So now you know what it looks like. You know what it is. And we’re not there right now.”
So, the only way for the Detroit Lions to keep their postseason wishes alive is to beat the Steelers on Sunday. It’s simply a must-win game.
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