Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell greatly admires the way Kevin O’Connell has transformed the Minnesota Vikings into a Super Bowl contender.
The Vikings entered the season with low expectations and faced a setback when rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury, pushing the team to rely on veteran Sam Darnold.
Darnold has had an MVP-worthy season, guiding the Vikings to a 14-2 record and setting up a season finale against the Lions that will decide the NFC North champion and a first-round bye.
Before the game, Campbell praised O’Connell’s ability to build a competitive team in Minnesota.
Dan Campbell Faces Major Challenge
Speaking to reporters ahead of the season finale, Campbell acknowledged that the Vikings head coach has excelled at exploiting opponents’ weaknesses.
“Yeah, listen, he’s a great coach,” Campbell said, via SI.com. “Look at what he’s done over the past few years, their offensive scheme is very effective. They’re creative, and they know how to identify weaknesses and exploit them, getting the most out of their players and putting them in positions to succeed.”
Campbell has also turned the Lions into contenders, taking a team that was near the bottom of the NFC and leading them to an NFC North title in 2023, with a chance to repeat on Sunday.
The Lions’ head coach has focused on building an aggressive defense and strengthening the secondary. However, Campbell noted the significant challenge they face against Justin Jefferson. He also praised O’Connell for getting the All-Pro wide receiver involved, even when opposing teams prioritize shutting him down.
“When you have a player like [Justin Jefferson], it’s like, ‘You’ve got Jefferson,’” Campbell said. “But it’s not that simple because everyone’s trying to double-team him, trying to take him away. He’s your best player, so you need to find ways to involve him, and they do a great job of that. They move him around, and Jefferson is smart enough to handle it. Plus, I like what they do with the run game.”
Lions Regaining Health as Playoffs Near
After battling numerous injuries this season, the Lions are starting to get healthier as the playoffs approach. Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin returned last week, and linebacker Alex Anzalone and wide receiver Kalif Raymond may return this week.
The Lions could also see another key return. Edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who fractured his leg in October, is progressing through rehab and could return if the team advances to the Super Bowl.
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, focusing on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins. Previously, he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as assistant editor for athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management, and Training & Conditioning. He is based in Rochester, New York, and is passionate about football. More about Nathan Dougherty.
