Jack Campbell has been one of the most exciting young players on the Detroit Lions, and as the season has gone on, he has also become the face of the defense.
A grizzled defender, Campbell hasn't backed down from any fight this season, and is having a career year as a result. Perhaps symbolically, his evolution has come as his defense has gone through crisis, losing multiple players to injury in the second half of the season and depending on others to step up.
That approach led to Dan Campbell dubbing the defense "northern savages." As the name implies, no matter who is called on to play at any time, a tough mindset remains the same. It's a nickname that strongly resonated with the young linebacker following the Week 14 win.
"What stuck out with me was after the game, (Dan) Campbell called us the northern savages. I'm like, 'we really are.' You just got a bunch of guys who are out there flying around and having fun, so I'm going to keep going with the northern savages thing. I think that thing's sick. You just got a bunch of hungry guys out there who are always looking to improve and just love the game of football."
If you sense the nickname and that description seems to describe Campbell himself, you wouldn't be wrong. This season, Campbell has grown up fast to provide Detroit with thump over the middle. He's been physical, and has improved at every turn. It's clear he loves football with how joyfully he plays, and it's quite possible he has served as the recent fabric of the defense amid plenty of constant change.
While the head coach was clearly seeking to name his entire defense, it's tough to not see Campbell as the heartbeat of the nickname at this time, especially with Alex Anzalone still on the road to recovery.
Jack Campbell excited for challenge of matching up with Bills' offense
If there's one week where Detroit's new defensive nickname will be put to the test, it's Week 15. The Bills are a tough offense to defend, with multiple weapons around quarterback Josh Allen. To Campbell, it isn't just finesse that makes Buffalo's offense special.
"I feel like it starts up front. Their offensive line's physical. Their backs are physical, and obviously Josh Allen (is physical). I feel like their tight ends do a good job blocking, and they got receivers who are willing to block, which is kind of unusual in today's game. So, it's a physical outfit. It's going to be a challenge, but we're excited for it. It's going to be a great opportunity."
Luckily for Detroit, they face a similar offense in practice everyday. With the exception of Jared Goff who isn't as willing of a runner, the Lions mirror the Bills in many relevant ways that could help them in this matchup. It's the kind of scrap that a group of savages led by Campbell will relish.