Dan Campbell Sent a Message to Kevin O’Connell
A good bit of work from the cameras to pickup the brief exchange between Dan Campbell and Kevin O’Connell at the end of the Week 18 game.
Detroit’s affable head coach came over to greet his coaching counterpart, taking the lead with the message. Apparently, Campbell is confident that Minnesota is going to win their opening-round game, putting Minnesota on a collision course for a rematch with Detroit. Campbell said that he will see the Vikings “in two weeks.”
Dan Campbell, Kevin O’Connell, & The Possible Rematch
The clip is circulating on social media.
The full quote from the Lions’ head coach: “Good job, great season, I’ll see you in two weeks.” The quick thought from Campbell elicited a hearty chuckle from NBC’s Mike Tirico (one of the best in the business, a great announcer).
A few clarifying thoughts to decode what Campbell is saying to O’Connell.
Detroit had just locked up the top spot in the NFC. As a result, the Lions will get an opening-round bye, meaning there’s not only extra rest but a guaranteed spot in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. When those games arrive, the Lions will take on the lowest seed that remains in the conference. Apparently, Campbell thinks that could be Minnesota.
The initial NFC games involve the Eagles taking on the Packers (#2 vs. #7), the Buccaneers taking on the Commanders (#3 vs. #6), and then the Rams taking on the Vikings (#4 vs. #5). If the Eagles, Bucs, and Vikings win, then Minnesota will go right back to Ford Field for a rematch with Detroit.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that things transpire in the manner that Dan Campbell predicted.
Tampa Bay is a division winner but it won’t be shocking if they lose in the opening round to Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. In that scenario, Washington would travel to Detroit. Any Vikings rematch would need to wait, if it occurs at all.
Basically all Minnesota can do at this stage is to look to be road warriors. Travel into LA and overcome a team that’s not as good as Minnesota (but one that got the better of them back in Week 8). There’s a small chance that Minnesota could host a Divisional Round game — all of the Wild Card teams would need to win — but the likeliest scenario is staying on the road. At some point, Detroit could host Minnesota yet again.
Regardless, the words from Campbell should be understood as a compliment. He thinks that Minnesota is going to take care of business in the opening round of the playoffs, potentially leading to a rematch between the NFC North rivals.
Being able to bring the Campbell prophecy to fruition will start with the Vikings snagging a win over the Rams on Monday, January 13th on MNF. The game begins at 7 p.m. CT.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter, as a co-host for Notes from the North, and as the proprietor at The Vikings Gazette, a humble Vikings Substack.
