Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions spoke about the areas his team needs to improve in order to reach the Super Bowl. Despite bouncing back from a loss to the Bills with a win over the Bears, Campbell acknowledges that there are still key areas that need refinement, particularly on defense. He emphasized that while the offense is performing well, especially with Jared Goff leading the charge, the Lions need to improve in the passing game.
Campbell noted that the Lions have been solid against the run, making opponents one-dimensional, and that the team’s physical effort has been commendable. However, he pointed out that improvements are necessary in the passing game, especially in critical situations like first and second-and-long. He stressed the importance of getting off the field when they have the chance and keeping opposing teams in third-and-long situations.
The coach also highlighted the need for more precision in the defensive line’s execution, especially when running stunts and games. He explained that the Lions need to be more detailed and focused in how they disrupt the opponent’s offense. These are areas that can be addressed and refined, providing a foundation for improvement.
Regarding the secondary, Campbell believes the coverage has been strong, with players like Amik Robertson moving to the outside and Brian Branch at nickel, making a positive impact. However, he mentioned that there are still minor leverage issues in the back-end that need to be cleaned up. Overall, Campbell praised the secondary’s performance, but acknowledged the need for attention to detail in the little things, which don’t necessarily require raw talent but make a significant difference.
Campbell also spoke about the return of safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, who had missed the first 14 games of the season due to injury. His return was a welcome sight, and Campbell expressed confidence in Melifonwu’s conditioning, despite his lack of recent football experience. The coach mentioned that while Melifonwu was a little rusty, his performance was solid and promising, and he would only improve as he gained more playing time.
The Lions’ coaching staff had kept a close eye on Melifonwu’s progress during his recovery, and Campbell noted that the safety had been training and participating in meetings. Although he had faced setbacks, Melifonwu was in the right mindset to return to action. His performance in his first game back showed potential, and Campbell was optimistic that Melifonwu would continue to grow as he got his legs back under him.
As the Lions approach the final two games of the regular season, their primary goal is to secure control of the NFC North. They will face the San Francisco 49ers on December 30th, followed by a crucial matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on January 5th. The Vikings game is especially important, as it will determine who finishes at the top of the division and potentially set the stage for a strong playoff run.
The Lions are looking to fine-tune their weaknesses as they head into these final games, with the hopes of solidifying their position in the NFC and making a deep playoff push. Dan Campbell is confident that with continued improvement, particularly in the passing game and defensive execution, the Lions will be in a strong position to make a Super Bowl run.
