Detroit, sitting at 13-2, headed into a Monday Night Football clash against the San Francisco 49ers relying heavily on a reshuffled lineup. With key players like David Montgomery and Kalif Raymond sidelined, the Lions also await the potential return of Pro Bowl defender Aidan Hutchinson, who could rejoin the team if they reach the Super Bowl.
Onwuzurike, a 6’3”, 304-pound lineman drafted in the second round out of Washington in 2021, has witnessed Detroit transform into a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The team’s success this season began with a thrilling Week 1 overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams. With quarterback Jared Goff in MVP conversations and head coach Dan Campbell in the running for Coach of the Year, Detroit’s journey has been remarkable.
Despite injuries, Onwuzurike emphasized that everyone on the roster is prepared to step up.
“There are guys who’ve shown flashes and have been handling business, whether from the practice squad or training camp,” he said. “We don’t go into games thinking it’s going to be tougher. We know what everyone can do, and everyone can handle business.”
However, the road hasn’t been easy. The Lions have lost multiple players to injuries while amassing 13 wins. As of Monday morning, the Minnesota Vikings (14-2) held the NFC North’s top spot and the conference’s No. 1 seed. The Lions must win their Week 17 matchup against the 49ers in Santa Clara to set up a high-stakes showdown with the Vikings for the division title and playoff seeding.
Through it all, Detroit has stuck to its aggressive style under Campbell.
“Without a doubt, we’re not changing a thing,” Onwuzurike said. “We’ll play our brand of football, no matter who’s on the field. The guys out there understand that.”
The Lions’ final two games will define their postseason prospects and test their ability to sustain their signature gritty style of play.
“These next two weeks are critical,” Onwuzurike said. “They’ll show us how we can perform and how aggressive we can be.”
Detroit’s journey under Campbell has been transformative. After a 3-13-1 campaign during Onwuzurike’s rookie season in 2021, the Lions have become one of the NFL’s most compelling stories. The team has embraced Campbell’s intensity and built strong bonds over the years.
“I think everything we’ve been through has helped us grow together,” Onwuzurike said. “Most of us have been here for four years. That growth, maturity, and those relationships we’ve built—we’ve got to use all of that and apply it to the game. If we focus on that, I think we can make a lot of things happen.”
