‘They tried to bury me’ – Detroit Lions’ underdog mentality underlined with defiant locker room message
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has instilled the kind of winning mentality in his team their city prides itself on. A Sunday Night Football showdown against the Minnesota Vikings turned into a procession. Amik Robertson kept Justin Jefferson quietGetty The Lions won 31-9 in a dominant performance that secured the NFC North title for the second year in succession and a first-ever No. 1 seed for the franchise. On offense, Jahmyr Gibbs was up to his usual tricks with a hat-trick of rushing touchdowns to secure a game ball from Campbell after getting four in total on the night. But it was the defensive recipient that sums up the underdog mentality that defines the Lions. Cornerback Amik Robertson was a fourth-round pick for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020 and put in four solid seasons. He was a popular figure in the locker room but did not get paid and ended up joining the Lions on a two-year, $9.25million deal in free agency. Tasked with covering Vikings standout Justin Jefferson, he had five tackles, one pass defended, and only gave up three catches for 54 yards to his former high school rival. “I mean this from the bottom of my heart,” the 26-year-old said after landing a game ball from his coach. “I appreciate y’all man because y’all gave me to showcase what I can do when they tried to bury me, dog. “But they can’t bury what comes from the dirt. Let’s get that big one man, let’s keep working, I love y’all.” Robertson also faced Jefferson in Week 7 and revealed that the Vikings receiver – regarded as one of the very best in the game – said “good game” after scoring on him in a 31-29 loss. Robertson celebrates after being handed a game ball GettyThe cornerback has impressed since his offseason move[/caption] He was fuming after the superstar wideout snubbed him in the wake of the Week 18 contest. “After this game, he just walked off the field,” Robertson revealed, adding that it annoyed him. Defeat means the Vikings face the Los Angeles Rams on the road in the wild-card round. If Jefferson & Co win, they will face their division rivals for a third time – Lions coach Dan Campbell told his Vikings counterpart Kevin O’Connor ‘See you in two weeks’. Robertson will not need any extra motivation for that showdown. “Our defense thrives on playing smart, aggressive football,” revealed Campbell after the win. “It’s about discipline, energy, and trust. “Today, they played lights out, executing everything we asked of them. “They’re relentless, and that’s the identity we’re building. This group feeds off each other and embraces the challenge.” Robertson was singled out for praise in Campbell’s press conference. “Amik has been a warrior for us,” he added. “He doesn’t back down from any challenge. He’s competitive, skilled, and gives everything he’s got. “Whether he’s in single coverage or has help, you know what you’re getting with him. “He’s a big reason why our defense has been able to play the aggressive style we want.” We’ are just a month away from Super Bowl 59 and talkSPORT will be live from New Orleans for build-up and live coverage talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio and this weekend the NFL Playoffs get underway with 5 exclusive commentaries on talkSPORT2. On Saturday evening, we have full live commentary as the best in the NFL go head-to-head, knowing they’re just three wins away from the biggest game in all of American sports. For more details head to talkSPORT.com and join the team this Saturday evening from 9 pm for Chargers @ Texans to kick start the weekend. LIVE ON TALKSPORT2 Saturday 11th January 21:30 Los Angeles Chargers v Houston Texans 01:00 Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens Sunday 12th January 18:00 Denver Broncos v Buffalo Bills 01:00 Washington Commanders v Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday 13th January 01:00 Minnesota Vikings v Los Angeles Rams And subscribe to our dedicated NFL YouTube channel ‘talkSPORT End Zone’ where will will have news, views, interviews and build up as we count down to the biggest game of the year
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has instilled the kind of winning mentality in his team their city prides itself on.
A Sunday Night Football showdown against the Minnesota Vikings turned into a procession.
The Lions won 31-9 in a dominant performance that secured the NFC North title for the second year in succession and a first-ever No. 1 seed for the franchise.
On offense, Jahmyr Gibbs was up to his usual tricks with a hat-trick of rushing touchdowns to secure a game ball from Campbell after getting four in total on the night.
But it was the defensive recipient that sums up the underdog mentality that defines the Lions.
Cornerback Amik Robertson was a fourth-round pick for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020 and put in four solid seasons.
He was a popular figure in the locker room but did not get paid and ended up joining the Lions on a two-year, $9.25million deal in free agency.
Tasked with covering Vikings standout Justin Jefferson, he had five tackles, one pass defended, and only gave up three catches for 54 yards to his former high school rival.
“I mean this from the bottom of my heart,” the 26-year-old said after landing a game ball from his coach.
“I appreciate y’all man because y’all gave me to showcase what I can do when they tried to bury me, dog.
“But they can’t bury what comes from the dirt. Let’s get that big one man, let’s keep working, I love y’all.”
Robertson also faced Jefferson in Week 7 and revealed that the Vikings receiver – regarded as one of the very best in the game – said “good game” after scoring on him in a 31-29 loss.
He was fuming after the superstar wideout snubbed him in the wake of the Week 18 contest.
“After this game, he just walked off the field,” Robertson revealed, adding that it annoyed him.
Defeat means the Vikings face the Los Angeles Rams on the road in the wild-card round.
If Jefferson & Co win, they will face their division rivals for a third time – Lions coach Dan Campbell told his Vikings counterpart Kevin O’Connor ‘See you in two weeks’.
Robertson will not need any extra motivation for that showdown.
“Our defense thrives on playing smart, aggressive football,” revealed Campbell after the win. “It’s about discipline, energy, and trust.
“Today, they played lights out, executing everything we asked of them.
“They’re relentless, and that’s the identity we’re building. This group feeds off each other and embraces the challenge.”
Robertson was singled out for praise in Campbell’s press conference.
“Amik has been a warrior for us,” he added. “He doesn’t back down from any challenge. He’s competitive, skilled, and gives everything he’s got.
“Whether he’s in single coverage or has help, you know what you’re getting with him.
“He’s a big reason why our defense has been able to play the aggressive style we want.”
We’ are just a month away from Super Bowl 59 and talkSPORT will be live from New Orleans for build-up and live coverage
talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio and this weekend the NFL Playoffs get underway with 5 exclusive commentaries on talkSPORT2.
On Saturday evening, we have full live commentary as the best in the NFL go head-to-head, knowing they’re just three wins away from the biggest game in all of American sports.
For more details head to talkSPORT.com and join the team this Saturday evening from 9 pm for Chargers @ Texans to kick start the weekend.
LIVE ON TALKSPORT2
Saturday 11th January
21:30 Los Angeles Chargers v Houston Texans
01:00 Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens
Sunday 12th January
18:00 Denver Broncos v Buffalo Bills
01:00 Washington Commanders v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Monday 13th January
01:00 Minnesota Vikings v Los Angeles Rams
And subscribe to our dedicated NFL YouTube channel ‘talkSPORT End Zone’ where will will have news, views, interviews and build up as we count down to the biggest game of the year
