LANDOVER, Md. -- With Dan Campbell in control of the offense, the Detroit Lions looked as sharp as they have all season, dialing up a 44-22 road win against the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
Behind a three-touchdown day from Jahmyr Gibbs and a 100-yard game from Jameson Williams, Detroit (6-3) never punted and kept pace in the tight division and NFC playoff picture.
Campbell and Lions were pushing all the right buttons from the opening snap.
Detroit had three touchdowns and a field goal on its first four drives. The 25 first-half points was more than they had scored in any of their previous three games (24, 24 and 17 points).
It was clear from early sideline TV shots that Campbell was more involved, the reading glasses accompanying the usual playsheet. He told FOX at halftime that everyone remains involved with the offense, and “it’s just a changeup. We wanted to mix things up.” After the game, Campbell confirmed to reporters that he took over playcalling duties.
The Lions opened the second half with a five-play, 72-yard drive that featured Williams and he capped with a 14-yard TD on first-and-10 with 12:11 left in the third quarter to go up 32-10.
Detroit scored on all eight of its possessions before running out the clock in an offensive masterclass, finishing with 532 net yards. Detroit was 5 of 10 on third down, converted both fourth-down attempts before kneeling the game away, all while gaining 200-plus yards on the ground for the first time since Week 3.
It was just the fifth time in franchise history the Lions went on the road and produced more than 500 yards, 40-plus points and at least five touchdowns.
All-Pro Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown came up big on third-and-7 in the first quarter, when he caught a 9-yard TD pass with 1:58 left.
And while quarterback Jared Goff was busy spreading the ball around, Williams had himself a busy day in D.C. The electric Lions wideout caught six passes on seven targets for a season-high 119 yards and the TD.
Unlocking Williams more has been a talking point. Williams was on a mission in the third quarter when he had five receptions, which happens to be more than he’s totaled in seven of the first 10 games.
Goff got Williams going while spreading the ball around at an elite clip. Kalif Raymond, St. Brown, Sam LaPorta and Williams all had at least four catches and 40-plus receiving yards.
Gibbs came alive after a rough showing last week, too. The running back opened the game with a 14-yard touchdown catch on the Texas Route on second-and-3 early in the first quarter. He added a touchdown with 9:51 left in the second quarter on the ground, when he broke multiple tackles and left Washington’s defense in his dust on second-and-5 from the 14-yard line to put the Lions up 22-3.
Gibbs put the exclamation point on this victory with a 44-yard touchdown run on second down with 12:50 left in the fourth quarter. His third score of the day put the Lions up by 25 points as Northwest Stadium started to empty as the rain came down.
Gibbs finished with 143 rushing yards and 30 receiving yards.
Detroit’s rushing attack was much better this time out, helping lead to the much-improved third-down performance and play-action attack.
The defense deserves some praise in this one, too. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard’s group forced two three-and-outs and held the Commanders to a crucial field goal after a big return gave them a chance to answer in the first quarter. The Commanders converted only twice on third down, mustering just 288 net yards of offense.
The Lions will have to keep this rolling because the schedule doesn’t get any easier. They head to Philadelphia to face the NFC East-leading Eagles (6-2) on Sunday Night Football next week.
**See below for more observations from the game:**
\-- This isn’t the first time Campbell seemingly got more involved in calling plays in the middle of the season. Back in 2021, during his first season as coach, Campbell replaced then-offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, and the offense responded in a big way.
\-- It was Kayode Awosika to start at left guard in the first game with Christian Mahogany on injured reserve. Also of note on the offensive line was that Dan Skipper saw a handful of reps as the extra blocker. Goff was not sacked, as the improvements on the offensive line led to a much better day on offense.
\-- St. Brown joined Herman Moore as the second player in franchise history to have 60-plus catches and at least eight touchdowns through a season’s first nine games since Herman Moore did so in 1995.
\-- Gibbs joined Barry Sanders as the only players in team history to have eight-plus touchdowns in each of their first three seasons. Gibbs is also the first Lions player since Jahvid Best in 2010 to have 100-plus scrimmage yards and a rushing and receiving touchdown in the first half of a game. The third-year running back’s four games with a receiving and rushing touchdown put him right on Sanders’ heels for the most in franchise history. Gibbs has four in three seasons, while Sanders finished with five.
\-- Goff surpassed 300 passing yards for the 44th time in his career, tying Dan Marino and Drew Brees for the third-most in NFL history through a quarterback’s first 10 seasons. He finished 25 of 33 passing for 319 yards and three touchdowns before exiting with 6:45 left in the game.
\-- Terrion Arnold did not return after heading to the locker room before halftime. The cornerback was ruled out early in the second half due to a concussion. Center Graham Glasgow and right tackle Penei Sewell both suffered injuries in the first half, but each was able to return and finish the game.
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