San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle says he is "not surprised at all" by the Detroit Lions' success in 2023.
The Lions won the NFC North for the first time since the division was created in 2002, and are through to the NFC Championship game for the first time since 1992.
Dan Campbell's side have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the NFL all season, finishing the regular season 12-5 before playoff wins over the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However on Sunday, Detroit faces its biggest challenge of the season to date, having to travel to Santa Clara to take on the 49ers in their own back yard for a place in the Super Bowl.
Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, Kittle - one of the best tight ends in the NFL - was full of compliments for Sunday's opposition.
"I'm not surprised at all [they are in the NFC Championship game]," said Kittle.
"Everything that Dan Campbell preaches is what the team is, it's not fake, they're gritty, they're going to out-work you, out-effort you.
"I was looking earlier at their offense, Frank [Ragnow] their centre is a phenomenal player, [Sam] LaPorta is fantastic, [Amon Ra] St. Brown is fantastic and [Jared] Goff is playing at a high level and their running backs are pretty damn good as well.
"They are hot, they are on a roll right now, and when you have momentum and you are playing for the city of Detroit, that's a huge wave of momentum they are bringing with them to California."
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