LANDOVER, Md. — Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell confirmed on Sunday evening that he was indeed the one calling plays in his team’s 44-22 victory over the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Campbell was seen wearing glasses and appearing to call plays throughout the offensive explosion. Detroit had a season-high 546 yards of offense scored on all of its offensive possessions except the last, which ended in victory formation.
The move came after the Lions looked straight-up out of sync in the team’s 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week. Campbell said he just wanted to “try something a little bit different.”
“I know what I want to do, I know how I want to do it. Now, that being said, this is a collaborative effort now. I was taking input from John Morton that whole time, and the other coaches,” Campbell said. “So this, man, this is all-encompassing. Man, we all work together. Coaches did a hell of a job, but I just wanted to change it up a little bit.
“Let’s just see if maybe a different play caller can get us a little rhythm, that’s all. And it honestly is nothing more than that.”
The Lions’ offense was second in scoring entering Sunday, but something just had not looked right following the loss of former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The team’s third-down efficiency plummeted (25th in the league entering Sunday), its early-down rushing efficiency was troubling, and the Lions seemed to be experiencing a litany of negative plays — sacks, tackles for loss, and the like.
None of those issues were present on Sunday. Detroit finished 5-for-10 on third down after starting 4-for-4; the Lions allowed no sacks or tackles for loss; and the run game averaged 6.8 yards per carry, as Jahmyr Gibbs exploded for 142 rushing yards with three total touchdowns.
Asked what the biggest difference was with Campbell as play caller, Gibbs said, “the flow and stuff.”
“I mean, you didn’t know what we were gonna run,” Gibbs said.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who finished 25-for-33 for 320 yards and three touchdowns, said it’s an example of Campbell’s unique ability to have the finger on the pulse of what his team needs.
“I thought he did a great job, I really did. … It’s been a long time since he’s done it, and I thought he did a great job of getting the plays in on time, getting the personnel in, and switching up the tempos. He was great,” Goff said.
Added Goff, “I’ve been saying it for years, he’s not just this rah-rah guy. He’s extremely smart and has a very good feel for people and players and obviously our team.”
Lions center Graham Glasgow said Campbell “called a good game today.”
It’s not the first time Campbell has taken over the play calling midseason. In his first season as Lions coach in 2021, Campbell took over play-calling duties for offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, who left the Lions at season’s end.
Campbell and Goff both said these circumstances are very different, since Detroit was still looking for its first victory when Campbell made the decision to call plays.
“John is vital to me. He gives me critical information that deals with the pass game, and that, number one, is his baby, man. It’s his bread and butter, it’s one of the things he does well,” Campbell said.
“I think that’s the best way I can say (it), man. He’s good. I’m glad he’s here. … I know how the other one ended, but that’s — listen, man, this is where I’m at. He’s in a great spot. He helped me out a lot today.”