Ndamukong Suh isn't shy about heaping praise and expectations on his Detroit Lions. The defensive tackle is confident -- brash, even -- and unapologetic in believing that his team belongs in the same conversation with the league's best.
Case in point: Suh didn't shy away Tuesday in telling the Green Bay media he believes the Lions (7-3) are every bit as good as the defending Super Bowl champion Packers (10-0), their NFC North rivals and Thanksgiving Day opponents.
"By all means, do I think our team is at their level, to be able to play against them," Suh said, according to the Packers' official website. "I don't see them as a golden-perfect team. Everybody has flaws in this league, but everybody has great things they do. It's just a matter of eliminating mistakes on our time and on our team and causing them to make as many mistakes as possible."
Suh truly believes what he's saying, even though the Lions lack the Packers' recent pedigree. Detroit did win the teams' late-season matchup in 2010 when Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers sat out.
As the face of a young team establishing its identity, Suh set the bar in saying another win would be what he expects. But that's not to say it's devoid of any other extra meaning.
"I think it would mean that we are on track to be where we want to be, winning games," Suh said. "I know this game would mean a lot to this city, and I, personally, would like to end the drought we've had."
