The Detroit Lions moved to 7-4 on the season after a dramatic 34-27 overtime victory against the New York Giants in Week 12. Following the win, head coach Dan Campbell addressed the media and delivered an emotional, detailed breakdown of the game, praising his players’ toughness, resilience, and late-game execution. Below is an SEO-optimized version summarizing everything Campbell shared in his postgame press conference.
Dan Campbell Opens With Major Praise After Hard-Fought Win
Campbell began by recognizing the Giants’ effort, saying they “played hard” and “threw the kitchen sink” at Detroit. Despite the struggles, he expressed how proud he was of his team for fighting through adversity.
He highlighted key contributors including Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Aidan Hutchinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and both the offensive and defensive lines. Campbell admitted the performance was “not perfect,” but emphasized it was a “good win” his team earned through grit.
Campbell on Jahmyr Gibbs: “He’s Electric”
One of the biggest talking points was rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who delivered one of the best performances of his career.
Campbell called Gibbs “electric” multiple times, crediting his vision, burst, and game-changing play style. He also praised the offensive line and receivers for setting up his explosive runs, including the 69-yard walk-off touchdown in overtime.
According to Campbell, anytime Gibbs finds a crease, “he’s gone,” calling his speed “home-run speed.”
Jake Bates Comes Up Clutch
Campbell complimented kicker Jake Bates for drilling the long game-tying field goal in the final seconds of regulation. Calling it a “big-time kick,” Campbell said Bates has proven to be “clutch” when the team needs him most.
Why Campbell Leaned on Gibbs in Overtime
Campbell admitted he always intended to lean heavily on Gibbs in overtime, saying the team could “feel it today.” Even though he debated who would get the ball first, Gibbs felt like the right choice — and proved it with the game-winning run.
Players Stepped Up in Critical Moments
The Lions head coach praised the team’s resilience, especially in late-game pressure situations. Campbell highlighted Aidan Hutchinson’s huge fourth-down stop, the offensive line’s protection on the final drives, and the offense’s ability to move the ball in two-minute situations.
He noted that the defense’s stop in overtime — deep in the red zone — completely changed the game and gave Detroit a chance to win.
Communication Issues and Giants’ Late Missed Opportunity
Campbell explained a late timeout was due to headset communication problems with Jared Goff. Thankfully, he said, it didn’t cost them the game.
Regarding the Giants’ late-game decision not to kick a field goal, Campbell admitted he was relieved, saying any stop on fourth down boosts your chances.
Why the Giants Were So Explosive on Offense
Campbell credited Giants quarterback Jameis Winston for keeping plays alive and taking deep shots, calling his performance “outstanding.” He explained that gadget plays, missed tackles, and pressure breakdowns led to New York’s explosive moments.
Special Teams Played a Huge Role
Campbell singled out punter Jack Fox, noting multiple punts inside the 20 and even deeper. He emphasized how key field position was in slowing down the Giants’ run-heavy offensive approach.
What This Win Means Moving Forward
Campbell closed by saying wins like this can build belief and remind the team that they can battle through tough moments. Despite the game nearly going the other way several times, the Lions made every key play when it mattered.
