When the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos square off on Saturday night in primetime, there will be many reunions. Most revolve around the New Orleans Saints, where Broncos head coach Sean Payton once led and Lions head coach Dan Campbell began his coaching career. Campbell regards Payton as one of his greatest mentors, and knowing him as well as he does, he knows the Broncos coach’s competitive spirit will be at an all-time high this week.
“We better be on our game because he’s coming here to embarrass us,” Campbell remarked on Monday.
Campbell was Patyon’s associate head coach for five years, but he is far from the only Lions employee who branched off from the Payton tree. Aaron Glenn, the Lions’ defensive coordinator, was the team’s defensive backs coach for the same five years. And Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone began his NFL career under Payton’s coaching.
Anzalone, too, is aware that this is the type of game for which Payton will get up.
“I know that Sean’s probably trying to come here and put 50 up on us,” Anzalone went on to say. “That is what we must be prepared for.” Because of all the personal connections, that’s simply how he is.”
Of course, motivation works both ways. Campbell will undoubtedly be anxious to demonstrate his mentor that he has the Lions as real contenders in his third year in charge. Anzalone said that his training has been different this week as he tries to impress Payton and several other Broncos coaches with whom he has personal links from their Saints days (for example, outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite)
“I know for me, you have a different type of approach to these types of games,” he remarked. “Just because you personally know someone. It definitely gives you a bit more edge in how you go about your week.”
Having saying that, both teams appear to be heading in opposite directions at the moment. Following a 5-1 start, the Lions have gone 4-3 in their last seven games, and they were fortunate to win two of those games.
The Broncos, on the other hand, began the season 1-5 but have since won six of their last seven games. Payton has already used the 2022 Lions (who went from 1-6 to 9-8) as a point of comparison and inspiration for his team’s comeback.
“At 1-5, we just pointed to a similar situation a year ago,” Payton explained on Monday. “In other words, a 1-6 team that was able to flip the script.” That was the end of it.”
Campbell, on the other hand, is certain that this year’s group will be more prepared for this week’s challenge.
“That’s our motivation, that’s mine, and it’s all about winning, man.” All we have to do is find a way to win, and we’ll have to be at our best, which we will be.”
