Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has officially confirmed he will remain the team’s offensive play-caller, even as injuries to key players—most notably Amon-Ra St. Brown—continue to challenge the offense during a crucial playoff push.
Campbell’s Play-Calling Boosts Scoring but Inconsistency Remains
Since taking over play-calling duties in Week 10, Campbell has helped stabilize a struggling Lions offense. Detroit is averaging 27.8 points per game over the last four contests, going 2-2 during that span. While this is an improvement from earlier weeks, the Lions still struggle with consistency and execution—especially on critical fourth downs.
When asked about whether he will continue calling plays, Campbell was clear:
“Yeah. I think it’s the right thing to do right now.”
The Lions’ need for rhythm and identity drove the change. Under former OC Ben Johnson, Detroit averaged 29 points per game and played at a top-tier level. When Johnson left for the Chicago Bears and passing-game coordinator Mark Morton took over, the drop-off wasn’t massive, but it was enough for Campbell to step in.
Detroit’s Fourth-Down Issues Continue
Detroit has built its culture around fourth-down aggression, but execution has deteriorated. The Lions are now 0-for-7 on fourth-down attempts since Week 11, including a costly failure on Thanksgiving against the Packers.
Campbell acknowledged the missteps after a failed Jahmyr Gibbs run:
“I don’t know how good of an opportunity we really gave our guys on that first one.”
Despite the struggles, Campbell is not backing away from his philosophy. Detroit still ranks among the league’s most aggressive—and successful—teams on fourth down, converting 52% on the season.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Injury Delivers a Major Blow to the Offense
Detroit’s playoff hopes took a hit when star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown suffered a low-ankle sprain on Thanksgiving. MRI results revealed no structural damage, but Campbell confirmed St. Brown is day-to-day, and his availability for Week 14 vs. the Dallas Cowboys and Week 15 vs. the Los Angeles Rams is unclear.
Campbell provided a cautious update:
“Nothing new” on St. Brown’s status.
Earlier, Campbell expressed optimism, saying the injury was not “long-term,” but he admitted St. Brown could still miss one to two weeks.
St. Brown has been Jared Goff’s most reliable weapon, consistently converting third downs and drawing extra defensive attention. Without him, Detroit loses its offensive anchor.
Detroit’s Receiver Room Is Running Thin
The Lions’ offensive depth continues to shrink:
Kalif Raymond is dealing with an ankle injury
Sam LaPorta is out for the season after back surgery
Brock Wright missed Week 13 due to a neck injury
The offensive line remains battered and inconsistent
This means Jameson Williams must emerge as Detroit’s next go-to receiver, especially in high-pressure matchups.
Playoff Stakes Are Rising
At 7-5, Detroit is fighting to stay alive in the NFC playoff race. The upcoming stretch features:
Week 14 vs. Dallas Cowboys — critical for wild-card positioning
Week 15 vs. Los Angeles Rams — major conference implications
With Campbell calling plays, an injury-thin roster, and must-win games ahead, Detroit’s season may hinge on how fast the offense adjusts without St. Brown.
This Thursday will be the true test—whether Campbell’s aggressive mentality sparks a late-season surge or leaves the Lions at risk of falling behind in the playoff battle.
