Lions' Campbell has envisioned playoff crowd for 3 years: 'Different than anybody’s seen'

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions already had their loudest crowd in Ford Field's history this season — breaking decibel records for the dome way back in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks — but coach Dan Campbell is anticipating the atmosphere to be at a different level for the first home playoff game at the 21-year-old venue.

"This is three years ago, thinking about what this was going to be like, and what it could be like — and now it’s here," Campbell said. "And so, I know exactly what it’s going to look like. I’ve seen it in my head. It’s going to be different than anybody’s seen. I think this is going to be one of the most electric environments atmospheres that you’re going to find, and I think it’s going to be an advantage."

Offense coordinator Ben Johnson, who will be coaching in the postseason for just the second time in his 12-year NFL career, and for the first time at home, echoed Campbell's sentiments and said he's looking forward to taking it all in moments before kickoff.

"I’m fired up," Johnson said. "Yeah, it’s going to be special. It’ll be something, probably during the National Anthem just kind of soaking it in for a moment. I haven’t had much time to reflect on anything, but I think I’ll take a second just to breathe and enjoy it with the guys around me."

The Lions have regularly been able to use the crowd volume to their advantage, forcing teams into communication errors that result in false starts and delay of game infractions. Most notably, the Chicago Bears committed nine false starts during a Monday Night Football game in 2011.

Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone offered advice to fans earlier in the week on how to have the biggest impact.

"Definitely be a little more rowdy than the regular season," Anzalone said. "Preferably, this is my personal request, is get loud as the quarterback is getting in the huddle, as opposed to after he breaks the huddle. That’s my request, but outside of that, just be really rowdy."

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

@Justin_Rogers

Divisional round

Buccaneers at Lions

▶ Kickoff: 3 p.m., Sunday, Ford Field

▶ TV/radio: NBC/97.1

▶ Line: Lions by 6

▶ Records: Tampa Bay (10-8), Detroit (13-5)