Tag: chicago bears

With renewed sense of urgency, Lions coach Dan Campbell says answer is to get back to work

ALLEN PARK — Dan Campbell’s message to his team on Monday was simple: Go back to work.

After the 41-34 loss at the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, the Lions saw their playoff hopes dwindle. Still they have a chance to get a playoff berth. First they have to win their three remaining games – Steelers at Ford Field on Sunday, at the Vikings on Christmas Day and at the Chicago Bears on Jan. 4. Or, as Campbell sees it, first they have to beat the Steelers.

“Go back to work. That’s the message. Don’t worry about the what ifs, we have to win so be it,’’ Campbell said on Monday. “…We want to win this one. Keep putting the work in, the focus, the detail and trust the guy next to you is going to do his job You do your job, do it the best you can do it and let’s find a way to win a game.’’

After starting the season 4-1, the Lions (8-6) have alternated wins and losses. Never losing two in a row, but never winning two straight either.

Campbell’s message has been consistent throughout – clean up the errors and go back to work. 

“There again, I know this, you say it a number of times, you have to say it a different way, you have to show it a different way,’’ Campbell said. “You never know, the way you say it may be the difference this time or how you get that point across. You keep changing it up, you try to address things in a different way.

“I do believe we’ll get it cleaned up, I do believe we’ll correct those errors. Then it’s up to some of these other guys just because it didn’t happen to you you’ve got to learn from that rep too that’s across the board,’’ ‘added the coach.

After watching film, Campbell said the loss on Sunday came down to three series in the third quarter offensively and defensively.

“That’s what bit us. Basically three touchdowns in 12 plays on defense then 9 plays for 6 yards total in that third quarter stretch,’’ he said.  ‘That was tough. There were a number of errors we had, some technique fundamental things that we have to get cleaned up that you can’t get away with a team like that.

“You do anything on any one of those series offense or defense and it changes the dynamic of that game. That’s not good. That’s what bit us. There again, we clean it up and move on,’’ Campbell added. “I know this we’ve got the right guys, we’re a resilient team, we’ve got to win.’’

UP NEXT: Steelers at Lions (8-6), 4:25 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field.

Lions dig hole in division losing to Packers, 31-24; 5 reasons for the loss

DETROIT — Dan Campbell often talks about how games are won or lost on just a few plays. It was no different on Thanksgiving when the Green Bay Packers edged the Lions, 31-24 at Ford Field.

The coach can pinpoint two key plays that were costly.

“We played with the energy – really this game came down to fourth down and those critical moments we were 0-2 and they were able to capitalize on three of them,’’ Campbell said. “Those are the one or two plays that make a difference when you’re playing a really good team.’’

The Lions dropped to 7-5 and remain in third place in the NFC North. The Packers are 8-3-1 in second place. The first-place Bears (8-3) play at the Eagles (8-3) on Friday while the Vikings (4-7) play at Seahawks (8-3 on Sunday.

“Like I told the team, it’s frustrating, I know. We’ve got a lot to be thankful for even after a loss,’’ Campbell said. “We’ve dug ourselves a little bit of a hole, that’s the bottom line, we are in a little bit of a hole, but that’s just what it is there’s nothing more than that. All we’ve got to do is worry about cleaning up this then getting to the next game and winning the next one in front of us.’’

The Lions host the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night, Dec. 4, at Ford Field.

Five reasons the Lions lost:

ONE: How about some pass rush? Packers quarterback Jordan Love had all day back there. He wasn’t sacked and the Lions only had one quarterback hit. The talent is there but something is wrong. Campbell couldn’t pinpoint a reason for the lack of pressure. “I don’t know. It’s a good question, until I watch this game i want to know what this game looks like before I make a comment on that,’’ Campbell said. “I’m not sure.’’

TWO: Detroit’s defense allowed too many conversions on third and fourth downs. The Packers went for it on fourth down three times and converted each one. Also, too many explosive plays were given up. Christian Watson scored on a 51-yard pass play and there were four other plays of 20 yards or more given up to the Packers.

THREE: Conversely, the Lions were 0-for-2 on fourth downs Thursday. They haven’t converted on fourth down since the win over the Commanders on Nov. 9. They were 0-for-5 on fourth downs in the loss to the Eagles and didn’t try one against the Giants. Goff said there is no magic potion. One of the misses was on a fourth-and-3 at Green Bay’s 21 early in the fourth quarter when it appeared Jameson Williams dropped the ball. “I’ve got to connect with Jamo on the one down in the red zone,’’ Goff said. “I’ve got to give him a better throw and if he makes the catch he might score right there …’’

FOUR: The offense got off to a slow start, hey were down 10-0 early in the second quarter. Goff was 0-3 and was sacked once in the first quarter and then completed 15 straight passes until Williams dropped the ball on fourth-and-3 in the fourth. The offensive line did not give Goff enough protection which has become an issue. He was sacked three times — 2.5 courtesy of Micah Parsons. The Lions were playing without center Graham Glasgow, wide receiver Kalif Raymond and tight end Brock Wright. Amon-Ra St. Brown went down in the first quarter and didn’t return. Goff credited Williams (7 catches, 144 yds, 1 TD), Isaac TeSlaa (2 catches, 35 yards, 1 TD) and Tom Kennedy (4 catches, 36 yards) for stepping up.

FIVE: Certainly the Lions have running back talent and they have to be patient with it, but the run calls on third down don’t always seem to be the best option and they keep calling them. The LIons were 8 for 13 on third downs. Jahmyr Gibbs carried 20 times for 68 yards (3.4 yards per carry) and David Montgomery eight for 32 yards and a touchdown. 

NEXT UP: Dallas Cowboys at Lions (7-5), 8:15 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 4.

Five things to watch as the Lions face the Browns and their top-rated defense

Coach Dan Campbell thinks the Cleveland Browns’ defense is the best the Lions have faced so far this season.

The Browns (1-2) are coming off a big comeback win against the Packers, while the Lions (2-1) decidedly beat the Ravens on Monday night. The two teams meet at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field.

Both must guard against a letdown after big wins.

“What we talk about is our standards. We have to play to what we – the way we practice, the way we prepare, the way we play, it’s about our standards. Nothing else matters,’’ Campbell said.”And we’re very aware of what’s coming in here. That’s a big win those guys got. They had to fight their way back to get that W and they did everything right at the end of the game to get it done. And they willed that to happen, so they’ve got the fight in them.’’

The Browns overall defense and rushing defense are both rated tops in the NFL.

“This defense, I’ve already mentioned, I think is the best that we will have faced. Green Bay was damn good, but this defense is really good,’’ Campbell said. “So, we’ve got our hands full over there. And offensively, they’re going to ball control, (AB Joe) Flacco’s seen every look you could see, they’re going to lean on (RB Quinshon Judkins) the rookie. And so, we know what’s coming in here.”

Five things to watch:

ONE: Cutting through DE Myles Garrett and the Browns defense has allowed just 290 yards per game. Cleveland is also top ranked in rushing defense giving up just 57.3 yards per game. Impressive numbers but something will have to give since the Lions have the League’s third-best total offense with 394.3 yards per game and tied for second with 34.3 points per game. Detroit’s numbers might be higher if they had issues in  the opening loss at Green Bay. “They’re sound, they play hard, they rush hard. Obviously Myles (Garrett) is a big part of that,’’ Goff said about the Browns defense. “They’re good in the backend too, they’re really good in the backend. They’re good at every spot and that’s what these good defenses typically are. And they’re no different.”

TWO: As always, winning in the trenches will be key. Detroit’s offensive line has improved each week with rookie right guard Tate Ratledge coming on strong. “Yeah, it’s been great. And it’s just reps, it really is. For any of these young guys, it’s just more reps he gets, the better he’s going to be. And I think he’s played great,’’ Goff said of Ratledge. Last week the defense sacked Lamar Jackson seven times. Seven. Something for Joe Flacco and the Browns’ offensive line to think about.

THREE:  The Lions offensive versatility can’t be underrated. “With the personnel that we have we can pretty much do anything we want. There’s a lot of weapons, you saw the different personnel grouping and all the different formations,’’ offensive coordinator John Morton said. “We’re all trying to create mismatches, that’s the way I was taught.’’

FOUR: Look for Amik Robertson to take more snaps at corner instead of Terrion Arnold. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said he’s not down on Arnold, calling him a very young player (he’s 22) who is going through growing pains. “Amik has always earned his keep with me,’’ defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said. Joe Flacco has thrown just two touchdowns against four interceptions. 

FIVE: Good starts are key on both sides of the ball. The Lions scored on their opening drive in Baltimore but the defense gave up a touchdown on the Ravens’ opening drive. That’s not good enough for Sheppard. “I want to start the game with a 3-and-out,’’ he said.

PREDICTION: Lions 27, Browns 17

UP NEXT: Lions at Cincinnati Bengals, 4:25 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5.