Dan Campbell resembled a genius playcaller one week and a reckless, ineffective one the next.
The Detroit Lions coach didn’t lose his mind in a few short days. The delta was merely a product of offensive line play.
The Lions are in a rush to straighten out their issues with a rare breather on their schedule: a home matchup against the 2-9 New York Giants, who will carry a five-game losing streak into Sunday’s contest.
Detroit rolled up 546 total yards in a 44-22 victory over Washington with Campbell taking over playcalling duties from offensive coordinator John Morton. Facing defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia on Sunday night, the Lions offense ground to a halt. They went 3 for 13 on third down and 0 for 5 on fourth downs in a 16-9 loss.
The duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for just 66 rushing yards, while quarterback Jared Goff was under constant pressure and completed just 37.8% of his attempts.
Several offensive line regulars are trying to play through injuries. Both offensive tackles, Taylor Decker (shoulder) and Penei Sewell (ankle), were listed as non-participants on Wednesday’s estimated practice report. Center Graham Glasgow and guard Tate Rutledge are fighting through knee ailments.
Campbell’s message to the team — we’re good, just worry about the next opponent.
“We go back to work, we clean up the little things, we adjust, we adapt, we move on and let’s find a way to get a ‘W’,” he said.
Detroit (6-4) trails both Chicago and Green Bay in the NFC North standings and faces the Packers in their annual Thanksgiving Day game. It can’t afford to squander an opportunity against a floundering opponent this weekend.
“We’ve got to get another win. And we’ve got to get back on our feet, we’ve got to play better ball in all three units,” Campbell said. “And so really, that is the focus, New York Giants. Don’t worry about anything else – don’t worry about what’s out there, don’t worry about the NFC, NFC North, don’t worry about the rankings or this, that. That doesn’t matter. We have to win.”
The Giants could have their standout rookie quarterback in action on Sunday. Jaxson Dart missed their 27-20 loss to Green Bay last weekend but returned to practice on a limited basis. If he continues to progress, he’ll start against the Lions.
“That would be the fair plan, for sure,” interim coach Mike Kafka said.
Dart has breathed some life into the moribund franchise in nine appearances, throwing 10 touchdown passes and rushing for seven more, compared to just three interceptions. However, the coaching staff probably won’t allow Dart to do much running around on Sunday. That’s good news for the Lions, who have struggled with dual-threat quarterbacks in recent seasons.
If Dart is not cleared to play, Jameis Winston will make his second straight start.
“I don’t want to speak for Jaxson, but he’s a pretty smart player. He was dialed into our game plans last week,” Kafka said. “He’s been preparing like this even early in the season when he wasn’t the starter, so I wouldn’t expect anything different.”
Dart doesn’t shy away from contact or going deep. Detroit’s secondary had three starters sidelined in Wednesday’s practice: cornerback Terriod Arnold (concussion), safety Kerby Joseph (knee) and safety Brian Branch (toe). Though neither starting offensive tackle worked, either, Decker and Sewell are not dealing with long-term injuries, Campbell said.
Kafka was thrust into a different role on Nov. 10, when Brian Daboll was fired and he was promoted from offensive coordinator. He’ll get his second opportunity at his first head coaching victory.
“The biggest change, I’d say, is just you’re open lines of communication with more of the players,” he said. “You’re exposed to them a little bit more often. The defensive side, the special teams unit, and then the coordinators and coaches, you’re talking with them a lot more.”
Several key players for the Giants will be worth monitoring to gauge their health this week. Wide receiver Darius Slayton (hamstring), linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder) and cornerback Paulson Adebo (knee) did not practice Wednesday.
