Ahead of tonight’s game between the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders–a NFL playoff game which will probably leave about 10 of us watching the entirety of the Red Wings-Lightning game (7 PM EST on FanDuel SportsNet Detroit/FanDuel Sun/97.1 FM)–the Free Press’s Helene St. James asked several Red Wings about their NFL allegiances:
“We have a big night for us and big night for the Lions, too,” Dylan Larkin, who grew up in Waterford, said. “We’re pulling for those guys and proud to be from Detroit and represent our city and kind of follow what they’ve done and how they’ve represented our sports fans.”
Alex DeBrincat, from Farmington Hills, grew up a Lions fan thanks to his dad, and has rekindled the passion since joining the Wings in the summer of 2023.
“The past couple years since I got into fantasy football, I’ve gotten a lot more into it,” DeBrincat said. “The team being good makes it that much easier to watch.”
The Super Bowl is Feb. 9, the day after the Wings host a matinee against the Lightning, after which the NHL goes on a two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-off tournament. Should the Lions make it, it certainly presents a temptation for an impromptu trip to New Orleans — if not a wholly realistic one.
“I had thought about it, but unfortunately with our schedule, we have to be in Montreal and practice on Monday morning, so not much of a break for us,” Larkin, who will represent the U.S. at the tournament, said. “But I would hope some guys would go if the Lions do make it. “
Continued (paywall); St. James also posted a video of Larkin, DeBrincat, Alex Lyon, Justin Holl and coach Todd McLellan discussing the NFL playoffs:
