The Detroit Lions had 10 men on the field when the Green Bay Packers converted a third-and-1 on the game-opening touchdown drive and were flagged for 12 men on the field on a third-and-7 play in the second quarter — a penalty that helped put the Packers in position to score on fourth down two snaps later.
But despite those game management issues, Lions coach Dan Campbell said he has no plans to give up the offensive play-calling duties he assumed from coordinator John Morton earlier this month.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches a play against Green Bay Packers during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025."I think it’s the right thing to do (for me to keep calling plays) with where we’re at right now," Campbell said Saturday, Nov. 29, in a video call with reporters.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCampbell's in-game administration has come under scrutiny in recent weeks since he replaced Morton as play caller before a Nov. 9 win over the Washington Commanders.
The Lions (7-5) have lost two of three games since that victory, are 0 for 7 on fourth downs and have uncharacteristically let some of the details slip on their play.
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The Lions also had two illegal formation penalties in their Thanksgiving loss to the Packers, due in part to receivers playing out of position after Amon-Ra St. Brown's injury, and Campbell faced questions about his end-of-game clock management.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe acknowledged Saturday a lack of detail and discipline has "bitten us here a little bit" in losses to the Packers and Philadelphia Eagles and said "it’s something that I plan on hitting head on" to get fixed.
"It's frustrating," Campbell said. "Those are the things that get you beat; those are the little things that we have complete control of that have nothing to do with talent or anything like that. That’s part of being disciplined, and there again, I’m totally responsible for those. That’s on my watch, and it’s not OK. It’s not OK that we have 10 or we have 12 or we’re lined up wrong. And I’m responsible for all of it. And so we have not been detailed enough."
Amon-Ra update
St. Brown is "day to day" with the ankle injury he sustained against the Packers, but Campbell said it's still unclear how much time St. Brown will miss.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"I do think long-term it sounds like it’s good news, but there again, what is long-term?" Campbell said. "I don’t know what that means for a week or even two right now for him. It’s really a day-to-day thing, but beyond that, we feel like this is something that will calm down and be OK long-term, which is good news."
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) walks off the field due to an injury of St. Brown during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025.St. Brown injured his ankle while blocking on a first-quarter running play against the Packers, when offensive linemen Penei Sewell and Kayode Awosika fell into the back of his leg.
Campbell said after the game that St. Brown could miss a game or two with the injury.
St. Brown leads the Lions with 75 catches, 884 yards and nine receiving touchdowns. The Lions also are without tight end Sam LaPorta for the season and played last week without No. 3 receiver Kalif Raymond and tight end Brock Wright.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dan Campbell to keep play-calling despite Lions' game management woes
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