ClutchPoints
The window appears to have closed on the Detroit Lions. A year ago, the Lions were the most explosive team in the NFC as they finished with the No. 1 seed in the conference’s playoff structure with a 15-2 record. The Lions have bumbled and stumbled to a 7-5 record this season with five games remaining on the schedule.
The loss of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to the resurgent Chicago Bears and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to the struggling New York Jets have robbed the Lions of much of their dynamic element. Without those two scintillating coordinators, the Lions are left with head coach Dan “Go For It” Campbell making most of the decisions.
There is no subtlety to Campbell’s leadership. He does not want to punt on fourth down. Campbell does not want to kick a field goal on fourth down. He simply wants to go for a first down or a touchdown — without fail.
Everyone realizes Campbell is a macho, go-for-the-throat leader. That philosophy has imbued the Lions with guts and a can-do belief in themselves. However, that philosophy does not always work. Sometimes it gives the opponent an opportunity to win the game.
The Lions are fighting from behind this year and find themselves in third place as the season has reached the home stretch. They can’t reverse any of the disappointing losses they have incurred at this point, but they can still be a playoff team if Campbell makes some philosophical changes and takes advantage of what opposing defenses will give them.
Unfortunately for the Lions and their long-suffering fans, easing off the throttle is not Campbell’s way, and the team is not likely to fix the problems that have emerged this season.
While the Lions have fallen short in recent games against the Vikings, Eagles and Packers, Goff continues to thrown with precision. He has completed 264 of 378 passes for 3,025 yards with 25 TD passes and just 5 interceptions. Those kind of numbers indicate the Lions can move the ball up and down the field and threaten their opponents on a consistent basis.
However, one thing they cannot do this year is hit opponents with a string of big plays that allow the Lions to blow out their opponents. This is when a change in philosophy is needed, especially with star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) on the injured list. Jameson Williams is a dynamic speed receiver, but the Lions are at their best when St. Brown and Williams are a working together. St. Brown is likely to miss the Lions’ Week 14 game against the Dallas Cowboys and could also miss the following week against the Rams.
The Lions will need to focus their attention on a ball-control game plan. That is unlikely given Campbell’s all or nothing personality.
They clearly have the weapons to do just that because they also have the lightning and thunder ground game with Jahmyr...
