The Detroit Lions walked away with a solid victory over the Washington Commanders on November 9, but the score wasn’t the only thing turning heads. Much of the postgame conversation centered on the surprising shift in offensive leadership.
Head coach Dan Campbell unexpectedly assumed control of the offensive play sheet, a responsibility normally handled by first-year coordinator John Morton.
Campbell explained afterward that the decision stemmed from long discussions following the previous week’s 27–24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. According to him, the two reviewed what went wrong and agreed on how to recalibrate the offense. Campbell also emphasized that Morton handled the change professionally and had the team’s best interests in mind.
“John’s a team-first guy,” Campbell said. “He just wants to win and contribute in any way possible. He was terrific today.”
Campbell admitted the switch may not feel great from Morton’s perspective, but praised him for staying focused and supporting the plan.
Travis Kelce Reacts to Campbell’s Bold Mid-Season Shift
Campbell’s decision didn’t just stir reactions in Detroit. It sparked commentary from around the league—including from Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce, who is engaged to Taylor Swift. On the November 12 episode of the New Heights podcast, Travis and Jason Kelce light-heartedly discussed Campbell’s presence on the sidelines.
Travis joked about Campbell’s intimidating look, saying even the coach’s reading glasses can’t hide how physically imposing he is. “I’m not messing with him,” he laughed. “Those traps popping out of his shirt tell me exactly where my limits are.”
Jason followed up with his own playful observation: “The man’s face gets so red you can see the adrenaline pumping. You can tell he’s ready to blow up—in a good way.”
Detroit Dominates the Stat Sheet Against Washington
Whatever the reasoning behind the play-calling switch, the results were undeniable. Detroit racked up 546 total yards, their highest output since last season, and dropped 44 points, their biggest scoring outburst since Week 5, according to NFL Research.
Now the focus shifts to a huge road test on November 15 when the Lions face the Philadelphia Eagles under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football. The Eagles enter at 7–2 as one of the league’s top teams, while Detroit sits at 6–3 and is considered the underdog.
Still, the Lions recognize the stakes. A win in Philadelphia—against the defending NFC champions and in front of some of the NFL’s most intense fans—could dramatically strengthen their push for the conference’s No. 1 playoff seed.
