After the Detroit Lions’ disappointing loss last week, head coach Dan Campbell decided it was time for a change — and that meant taking over the play-calling duties himself. The result? One of the most dominant offensive performances of the season.

Under Campbell’s direction, Detroit’s offense was unstoppable, scoring on all eight of its drives before kneeling out the clock in a 44–22 rout of the Washington Commanders. The Lions looked dynamic, balanced, and explosive, with Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs both delivering breakout performances.

Campbell said the decision came after an honest discussion with offensive coordinator John Morton following the previous week’s loss to Minnesota.

“It was just about trying something a little different,” Campbell explained after the win. “I know what I want to do and how I want to do it. But this isn’t a one-man show — John and the rest of the staff were still part of every decision. It was a team effort all the way.”

Campbell emphasized that the move wasn’t about conflict or dissatisfaction with Morton, but rather a way to spark rhythm in the offense.“You’ll probably want to ask about, ‘What happened?’ or ‘Why the change?’” Campbell said. “It’s not drama. We made a change, and it worked today.”

He also made it clear that his relationship with Morton remains strong. Campbell praised Morton’s expertise in the passing game and said he told him earlier in the week, “I need you.”“Of course, it doesn’t feel great to make a change like that,” Campbell admitted. “But John is a total team guy. He handled it like a pro.”

A Historic Offensive Outburst

Detroit didn’t just improve — it dominated. The Lions racked up over 500 yards of offense, 40-plus points, and five touchdowns on the road for just the fifth time in franchise history.

Their ground game set the tone with 226 rushing yards and two scores, marking the team’s first 200-yard rushing performance since Week 3. Jared Goff had a clean pocket all day, completing 25 of 33 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns without a sack. Williams caught five passes in the third quarter alone — more than he’d managed in seven of the previous ten games.

Detroit converted its first four third-down attempts and built an early, insurmountable lead.

Goff and Campbell in Sync

Quarterback Jared Goff said he thought Campbell handled the play-calling duties flawlessly — impressive, considering it was the first time he’d done so since 2021.

“He did a great job,” Goff said. “It was smooth, clean, and efficient. He’s not just a rah-rah coach — he’s incredibly smart and has a great feel for his players and our offense.”

Goff also praised Morton for the way he handled the switch, calling him “a veteran coach with zero ego.”

“He didn’t miss a beat in game planning and was still a huge part of the passing game,” Goff added. “It was really impressive to see how well everyone worked together this week.”

A Familiar Move, but Different Circumstances

This isn’t the first time Campbell has taken over play-calling duties midseason. In 2021, he assumed the role from then-offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, sparking improvement in a team that had started 0–8.

But Goff noted that this time is different.“There’s really no comparison,” he said. “Back then we were still figuring out who we were. Now we know exactly what kind of team we are.”

Campbell agreed, saying that while both moves came from a desire to help the team, this one came from a deeper understanding of his players and his vision for the offense.

“John is critical for me,” Campbell said. “He’s the guy who handles a lot of the passing concepts — that’s his strength. But I know this group. I know what our players can do and what we’re capable of. That’s really what it comes down to.”

With Campbell back in control of the offense, the Lions looked every bit like the NFC contender they’ve aimed to be — confident, composed, and completely in sync with their head coach’s vision.