Wide receiver Nate Burleson says Lions are for real

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) - Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson, who caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford on Sunday in the fourth quarter that was instrumental in helping Detroit grab its 26-23 overtime victory, stood by his locker on Monday and sent this message:

"I heard you can't shoot the Eagles [down]. I don't know, I think I missed," said Burleson with a huge smile. "The eagle might still be alive flying around."

The always-entertaining Burleson is referring to his end zone celebration where he pretended to shoot down an eagle flying in the sky.

"It was just a way for me to have fun, and to kind of get our swagger back," said Burleson. "I talked to the guys last week and I said, 'you know, we've got to get back to being angry; mad at everybody [and] not really caring what people think about us.' "

Burleson said it's important to play with a "chip on our shoulders. No more Mr. nice guy, say hello to the bad guy. That's my thing for the rest of the season. I couldn't tell these guys that and not do that. That was my way of showing everyone in [that] Eagles stadium [Lincoln Financial Field] that the Lions are here and we're for real."

Certainly words of motivation for a Lions (2-3, 1-2 away) team that is setting its sights on tackling the Chicago Bears (4-1) on Monday Night Football next week. 

Lions offensive lineman Rob Sims said the team is treating this week like any other in terms of preparing for the nationally televised game at Soldier Field.

"They're dangerous every single year," said Sims. "I mean, they've got a great defensive line. They've got great players. They come to play every single game so it's gonna be another one of those battles."

It's a battle we will have live on WXYZ-TV (ABC) 7 Action News on Monday, Oct. 22 at 8:30 p.m.