Dan Campbell recaps the Detroit Lions’ decisive victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Below is everything the Detroit Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell shared during his postgame press conference following the team’s 52-14 victory against the Titans.
Opening Remarks
“First off, credit goes to the Titans. They came out and fought hard. We expected that, and I felt the intensity from the start. We anticipated a battle, and I reminded our team – ‘This is what champions do. They handle business regardless of time, place, or opponent.’
We may not have played perfectly, but with four defensive takeaways, a perfect five-of-five red zone performance, and solid returns from special teams, things fell into place. This was a team win, with each unit complementing the others and playing at a high level.”
On Whether This Win Defines Complementary Football
“Absolutely, it does.”
On Setting Franchise Records
“It’s really about the next game, not chasing records. We’re focused on playing clean, effective football. The players take accountability and want more each game, understanding when we’re doing well and when we’re not.
It’s a testament to them, and there’s still room for improvement. They’ve grown significantly, and their commitment to the game plan is clear. Now, it’s on to the next challenge.”
On the Impact of Defensive Takeaways
“We emphasize takeaways every day, similar to how we practice ball security on offense. During warm-ups, we focus on drills like punch-outs and strips, knowing that interceptions and fumbles will come naturally.
ELECTRIC: #Lions head coach Dan Campbell gave one of his great postgame speeches in the locker room, giving out his iconic game balls.
“I LOVE THE GAME OF FOOTBALL, MAN!!!!”
Dan says it was not the team’s best performance today & Detroit still won 52-14pic.twitter.com/3AfONEyNwa
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) October 28, 2024
Takeaways can be contagious; once a team gets a taste for it, everyone gets involved. Coach Aaron Glenn and his team deserve credit for this focus. Four takeaways make it tough to lose.”
On Special Teams’ Strong Performance with Kalif Raymond and Khalil Dorsey
“Yes, I was thrilled with Kalif Raymond’s performance. He earned a game ball today. Back in 2021, Brad Holmes mentioned a player from Tennessee who was mainly a returner.
After watching a few plays, I saw the potential, and it’s been rewarding having Kalif here. He’s a true professional, consistent and versatile. Players and coaches admire him. The team was fired up for him, and the blocking was solid, allowing him to showcase his skills.”
On His Initial Impression of Raymond’s Film
“His speed and athleticism stood out immediately, especially on deep routes and returns. He had a natural flow that was obvious even on limited tape, which we desperately needed at the time.”
On Raymond’s Journey to the Lions
“I encourage younger players to talk to him, to understand the league’s reality. He’s had challenges but found the right environment here, and his confidence has soared. Kalif’s become invaluable to the team, and I could talk all day about his contributions.”
On Depth Players Stepping Up, Including Levi Onwuzurike and Trevor Nowaske
“We’ve had several players filling in, and they understand it’s not just about occupying a spot – they’re here to make an impact.
We saw players like Trevor Nowaske and others stepping up as Jalen Reeves-Maybin played in relief of Malcolm Rodriguez. We didn’t skip a beat despite some absences, especially thanks to special teams and going five-for-five in the red zone.”
On the Importance of a Reliable Run Game When the Offense Isn’t at Its Best
“It’s bittersweet because you feel that you could do more. But it’s a reminder that our special teams and defensive takeaways meant we didn’t need our best offensive performance today.
That’s the advantage of a balanced team – if two units are excelling, they can support the third. When all three are aligned, we’re very difficult to beat. This is our sixth win, setting us up perfectly for Lambeau next week. The team and I are looking forward to it.”
Injury Update on Malcolm Rodriguez
“We’ll know more tomorrow. He wasn’t able to finish, but it doesn’t appear to be a season-ending issue.”
