Everything Dan Campbell Said After the Lions’ Loss to the Eagles
Dan Campbell believes the Lions will hit their stride later in the year as other teams begin to wear down. Below is a paraphrased version of his full postgame comments following Detroit’s 16–9 defeat to the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
Opening Statement
Campbell opened by crediting Philadelphia, saying they earned the win by delivering in the critical moments. He praised his players’ effort, noting they played extremely hard, finished plays, and stayed disciplined throughout most of the game. He highlighted the defense in particular, calling their performance “championship-level” with key takeaways and fourth-down stops that kept Detroit alive.
Still, Campbell acknowledged that when a strong team catches momentum, you have to match them — and Detroit couldn’t. The offense struggled, converting just 3-of-13 on third down and failing on all five fourth-down attempts. After gaining some rhythm in the second quarter — capped by Jameson Williams’ touchdown — the offense never found consistency again. Campbell admitted he had some calls he wished he could take back and felt he didn’t put his players in the best position.
On Fourth-Down Issues
Campbell said the Eagles didn’t show anything surprising defensively. Vic Fangio mixed coverages as expected, but nothing was new or unusual. Detroit was simply “off” all day. He mentioned that the lack of connection between Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown was rare, and the entire offensive unit — coaches included — shared responsibility. Against a defense like Philadelphia’s, he noted, the margin for error is razor-thin. You have to score touchdowns in the red zone and convert several of those fourth-down tries, and Detroit didn’t.
On the Pressure Jared Goff Faced
Being behind on the scoreboard forced Detroit into more obvious passing situations, which made protection harder. Max-protect schemes could have helped, Campbell admitted, but they also reduce receiving options. Ultimately, the offense never gained traction.
On the Late Pass Interference Call on Rock Ya-Sin
Campbell defended Rock Ya-Sin, saying the corner played aggressively and consistently from the first snap and did nothing he wouldn’t want him to do again. He praised his competitiveness and physicality.
On Maintaining the Team’s Confidence
Campbell stressed that while the loss is frustrating, Detroit competed closely against a top-tier team. They were only a couple of plays away from winning. He believes challenges like this help the team grow and expects the Lions to peak later in the season when other teams begin encountering adversity.
On Attempting a Fake Punt
Campbell explained that he thought the look they got was favorable and believed Detroit could surprise the Eagles. However, Philadelphia was prepared and shut it down.
On Whether Weather Was a Factor
He acknowledged some wind but said it wasn’t significant enough to affect the game. Early play-calling was slightly cautious because of it, but as the game progressed, he no longer considered it an issue.
On Whether the Eagles’ Defense or Detroit’s Offense Was the Bigger Problem
Campbell credited Philadelphia’s strong defense but said the Lions still should have executed better — and he should have called a better game. In close, low-scoring matchups, one to three plays often decide the outcome. Detroit didn’t make them, but Campbell doesn’t believe this performance reflects who they are long-term.
On Jameson Williams’ Penalty
Campbell told Williams the play itself was outstanding — but to avoid the penalty-worthy action next time.
On Not Using Timeouts Before Halftime
He considered using his timeouts while the Eagles had the ball inside the five but ultimately chose not to because Detroit was receiving the second-half kickoff. Once the clock dipped under a minute, he decided to let it run.
On the Close NFC North Standings
Campbell said the team has to focus strictly on the next opponent, the Giants. With division and conference matchups ahead for every team, the standings will sort themselves out. Detroit’s priority is correcting mistakes and handling its own business.
On Defending the Tush Push
He credited Detroit’s interior defensive line — D.J. Reader, Roy Lopez, and Alim McNeill — calling them strong, anchoring players who “grow roots.” Their leverage and stoutness helped stop Philadelphia’s signature short-yardage play and gave Detroit a chance late.
On Sam LaPorta Going to Injured Reserve
Campbell said the injury is significant enough to require at least four weeks on IR. He hopes LaPorta returns afterward but emphasized the team is taking it one week at a time.
On Regretting Decisions in a Close Game
Campbell admitted there were choices he’d like to have back. Going more conservative likely would have improved Detroit’s chances of winning. But he also said being aggressive is part of his identity and the team’s identity — and on this night, it cost them.
Controversial Pass Interference Call That Sealed the Game
Late in the fourth quarter, a highly debated defensive pass interference call on Rock Ya-Sin effectively ended Detroit’s last chance. The throw from Jalen Hurts appeared uncatchable, but officials ruled Ya-Sin restricted the receiver’s arm. After the game, crew chief Alex Kemp explained that the arm grab prevented the receiver from attempting a catch, which is why DPI was called — though field judge Lo Van Pham actually threw the flag.
The call drew widespread criticism, including from broadcaster Cris Collinsworth, who called it “absolutely terrible.” Many argued A.J. Brown was also initiating contact. The call helped Philadelphia hang on for the win, pushing the Eagles to 8–2 while the Lions fell to 6–4 and dropped to third in the division.
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