Dan Campbell: Decision Against Vikings 'Burns Me'

Dan Campbell will never forget the Lions' loss to the Vikings earlier this season.

When the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings met for the first time in Week 3, Detroit head coach Dan Campbell was on the precipice of stealing a road victory.

His late-game decision-making, though, hindered the team’s chances of victory, headlined by a missed field goal, late in the fourth quarter, that allowed the Vikings a short field and turned into the game-winning touchdown.

Ahead of the rematch between the two teams set for Sunday, Campbell reflected on the loss and the decisions he made that led to it.

“It burns me. Of course, it burns me,” Campbell said. “That’ll be there until the day I die, that’s not gonna go away. It does, but I also know I can’t wallow in that and let that pull me down. It is what it is, and it happened for a reason. And honestly, I think us losing five in a row is why we’re at where we’re at right now. That’s kind of how I look at it, maybe we needed this to happen to get to where we’re at right now.”

Detroit’s second-year head coach has become known for his late-game struggles. With his team enjoying a resurgence and remaining in the playoff hunt, the close losses could haunt the team later in the season.

Campbell was visibly shaken following the Week 3 loss. He felt that he let his team down at that moment. As a result, the feeling still lingers.

“There’s little things that will always, that’s just the way I am,” Campbell said. “They’re not gonna pull me down, but there’s things that I’ll never forget. Because that, to me, I let my players down. It’s hard enough to have success and win in this league without your coach doing something that pulls you back. I felt like that was one of those.”

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Johnson-Goff relationship grows, taking offense to new heights

The Lions’ offensive success has been a revelation, as the team has come a long way from last season’s showing.

Currently, the unit ranks sixth in the league in scoring, and leads the league in red-zone touchdown percentage. The chemistry between Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and quarterback Jared Goff has been on full display.

Campbell said that chemistry has been there since Johnson was named offensive coordinator in the offseason.

“I think, more than anything, when you’re around each other and you’re able to figure each other out on how each other thinks, how they work, what their strengths are, maybe things they’re not comfortable with on both sides, then you can really produce at a higher level,” Campbell explained. “As a coach and a player, I think that’s where we’re at right now. Like anything else, there’s been growing pains throughout the whole thing. I think we’re to the point where, now, those two know exactly who each other is now and what they’re looking for. And, that’s a good place to be at.”

Stopping Vikings WR Justin Jefferson

When the Lions and Vikings met for the first time this season, Vikings No. 1 receiver Justin Jefferson was held to a season-low 14 receiving yards. Since then, Jefferson has logged six 100-yard games.

Campbell pointed out that the young wide receiver has plenty of talent and can quickly take advantage of a mistake. Because of this, the Lions’ defensive gameplan must be sound.

“I think any and everybody that would play him, would tell you that you have to have an answer for him,” Campbell said. “I’ve got a lot of respect for that player. The talent speaks for itself, but it’s all the intangibles that you see. The detail to his route, the finish, he’ll go in there in double coverage and doesn’t even bat an eye. Comes down with it, gets right back up, he’s ready for the next play. He’s competitive, he’s tough, he can run every route in the tree, he’s long, he’s got it. We’ve got to have answers for him. You’ve gotta know where he is at all times, because he'll hurt you.

“The other guys gotta win one-on-ones, that’s the big thing. We’re gonna have to expend a number of resources on a couple guys there throughout the whole gameplan, first, second and third down. We’ve gotta be ready for it all, and then, they’ve got this running attack. Cook, he’s a hell of a player, so it’s a challenge now.”

Briefly

Kicker Michael Badgley won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Badgley was perfect on his kicks, knocking through each of his eight attempts. He was 4-for-4 on field goal attempts, with a long of 48 yards.