The Detroit Lions can clinch the NFC North with a Week 16 win over the Minnesota Vikings. They’ll then look to win their first playoff game in over three decades en route to their first Super Bowl in franchise history.
Detroit’s defense could receive a late boost from C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who returned to practice Wednesday. The safety hasn’t played since tearing his pectoral muscle in Week 2.
A reporter asked Gardner-Johnson if he considers the Lions a threat in the postseason. He didn’t sugar-coat his answer.
“That’s the dumbest question,” Gardner-Johnson responded, via Ari Meirov . “You know we’re a threat.”
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was asked if the #Lions can be a threat in the playoffs.
He answered exactly the way he should:pic.twitter.com/QJxJh4FNEO
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 21, 2023
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
It’d be weird if Gardner-Johnson or any Lions player said otherwise. Yet it’s fair for outside observers to wonder if they’re a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
While the Lions rank fifth in scoring with the No. 3 offense, they’re 15th in total defense and are allowing 23.6 points per game.
Since defeating the Kansas City Chiefs (without Travis Kelce and Chris Jones) in Week 1, none of Detroit’s ensuing nine wins have come over a team that currently possesses a winning record. However, the Lions got thoroughly outclassed in a 38-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Perhaps Gardner-Johnson will help elevate Detroit’s defense to championship heights. He collected six interceptions for the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
“He’s one of the X-Men,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said of Gardner-Johnson, per team reporter Tim Twentyman . “He’s got these mutant genes, because he has healed extremely quickly. And it is, he’s gotten the strength back, it is secure, and so yeah, he’s going to be ready to go here pretty soon.”
Gardner-Johnson will look to play in his second straight Super Bowl in February. It’s unclear if he’ll return this Sunday at Minnesota.