This week, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell made his intentions clear when asked about Monday night's primetime NFC Championship Game rematch against the San Francisco 49ers—the team that ended Detroit's Super Bowl hopes last season.
"I'll make this easy for everybody that way all the critics can jump out and start attacking, but that way you don't have to debate them anymore," Campbell said. "We're bringing everything we got to this game and we are playing, I don't care what it looks like and where it's at and who's this, who's that. We're going out to play and win this game, out on the West Coast."
The Lions boast the NFC's best record, with home-field advantage in the playoffs at stake. Meanwhile, the injury-plagued 49ers, sitting at 6-9, have already been eliminated from playoff contention.
Despite their struggles, the 49ers remain a prideful team, determined to finish their season strong. Quarterback Brock Purdy, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Friday, emphasized the team's desire to match Detroit's intensity on Monday night.
"Obviously, last year, NFC Championship Game, there's a lot of emotions that go into that, especially when we were able to go the Super Bowl from it, and their season was ended," Purdy said after Friday's practice. "So, we obviously know how that feels, for us, the year before with Philadelphia. So, it's definitely a thing, and we have to be ready for it.
"And more than anything, it's how can we come in, and be ready to battle these guys for four quarters, and do what we can to obviously win and walk out and create some momentum for us, our organization, moving forward."
Tight end George Kittle echoed his quarterback's sentiments, emphasizing that the team is fully aware of the stakes heading into Monday night's game.
"They're going to come in this week, and I think we're all very aware that they think that they gave us one last year," Kittle said. "And I think they're going to do everything they can to come in here and beat us by 30 points. And it's our job to not let them do that.
"And, actually, I fully expect us to win. I go into every single game expecting to win a football game. If you go in expecting to lose, I think you're going to lose no matter what."
Purdy highlighted the locker room's close bond and mental toughness as a driving force heading into the final two games of the season.
"We've got nothing but real strong love in this locker room," Purdy shared. "And so, to go out there and play for each other, and do what it takes to win at Levi's, at home, that's everything for us. So, that's our mindset going into it. We know that they're going to come in with a heavy heart from last year and [be] ready to go for this game."
Reflecting on playing under the bright lights of Monday Night Football, Purdy spoke about the excitement of living a childhood dream, recalling watching the primetime matchups as a child.
"I was just telling all the guys, our season, it's been tough, and just the way it's gone, but we've got two games left," Purdy said. "We've got a Monday night game in front of everybody to go out and live a childhood dream. And we're all in our 20s and 30s, playing football for our job, so let's go out there.
"We've got such a great opportunity in front of us to go and enjoy this game and compete. This is what we do for our job, so let's enjoy it together. So, for me, the little kid in me is always pumped for these kind of games, so I'll never take it for granted.
"And more than anything, I just want Levi's to get rolling and rocking, and I want to do my part in helping it get to that point. That's how I'm looking at this game, and I know all my teammates are too, so we're excited for it."
The 49ers hope to channel that energy into an inspired performance against the Lions on Monday night before closing out their season on the road against the Arizona Cardinals.
