Campbell's Power Play: How the New Lions Coach is Punting Defense as Key to Success
In a shocking move, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell took away play-calling duties from his offensive coordinator John Morton during last Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders. This unexpected shift comes after the team's Week 9 loss to the Vikings, where they struggled to find their footing without their star players on the field.
Morton had been hired to replace Ben Johnson, who left to become the Bears' head coach and led the Lions to a successful 2024 season with an offense that averaged 33 points per game. However, through eight weeks of this season, the Lions have been only marginally better, struggling with consistency and facing stiff competition on defense.
Despite the lackluster performance, Campbell's decision to take over play-calling duties paid off in a big way against the Commanders. The team scored 44 points and accumulated 546 total yards, the most in the NFL this season against a non-Bengals defense. This was an impressive display of offense that left opponents reeling.
One key player who made all the difference was Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions' top dual-threat running back. Gibbs had been kept on the field to block on more passes than usual by Morton, taking away his best asset as a pass catcher. However, with Campbell in charge, Gibbs was given more freedom to make plays.
Gibbs was used more effectively against the Commanders, who blitzed frequently. He finished with three touchdowns and 178 total yards, showcasing his versatility as a player. The change in Gibbs' usage also led to improved performance from wideout James Williams, who carved up the defense for 119 yards on just six catches.
Campbell's plan seems to be working, as he's utilizing his players more effectively and getting them in position to make big plays. With their strong run game and improved play-calling, the Lions are now a force to be reckoned with.
The Eagles' defense, led by Vic Fangio, will need to step up its game if they want to stop the Lions' offense. Campbell's ability to find mismatches on the outside could prove troublesome for the Eagles, especially under center. With their pass rush and secondary in top form, the Eagles may struggle to contain the Lions' explosive playmakers.
In conclusion, Dan Campbell's decision to take over play-calling duties has been a masterstroke. By unlocking his players' full potential, he's given the Lions a chance to dominate games on offense. The Eagles will need to be at their best if they want to stop this surge in momentum from the Lions.
In a shocking move, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell took away play-calling duties from his offensive coordinator John Morton during last Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders. This unexpected shift comes after the team's Week 9 loss to the Vikings, where they struggled to find their footing without their star players on the field.
Morton had been hired to replace Ben Johnson, who left to become the Bears' head coach and led the Lions to a successful 2024 season with an offense that averaged 33 points per game. However, through eight weeks of this season, the Lions have been only marginally better, struggling with consistency and facing stiff competition on defense.
Despite the lackluster performance, Campbell's decision to take over play-calling duties paid off in a big way against the Commanders. The team scored 44 points and accumulated 546 total yards, the most in the NFL this season against a non-Bengals defense. This was an impressive display of offense that left opponents reeling.
One key player who made all the difference was Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions' top dual-threat running back. Gibbs had been kept on the field to block on more passes than usual by Morton, taking away his best asset as a pass catcher. However, with Campbell in charge, Gibbs was given more freedom to make plays.
Gibbs was used more effectively against the Commanders, who blitzed frequently. He finished with three touchdowns and 178 total yards, showcasing his versatility as a player. The change in Gibbs' usage also led to improved performance from wideout James Williams, who carved up the defense for 119 yards on just six catches.
Campbell's plan seems to be working, as he's utilizing his players more effectively and getting them in position to make big plays. With their strong run game and improved play-calling, the Lions are now a force to be reckoned with.
The Eagles' defense, led by Vic Fangio, will need to step up its game if they want to stop the Lions' offense. Campbell's ability to find mismatches on the outside could prove troublesome for the Eagles, especially under center. With their pass rush and secondary in top form, the Eagles may struggle to contain the Lions' explosive playmakers.
In conclusion, Dan Campbell's decision to take over play-calling duties has been a masterstroke. By unlocking his players' full potential, he's given the Lions a chance to dominate games on offense. The Eagles will need to be at their best if they want to stop this surge in momentum from the Lions.