By Moses Joshua 
Dan Campbell’s play-calling sparks breakout performance as wideout regains form and confidence
Williams Reignites in Statement Win
The Detroit Lions didn’t just win big on Sunday — they got their young playmaker back in rhythm. Wide receiver Jameson Williams erupted for 105 yards and a touchdown in just one quarter during Detroit’s 44-22 rout of the Washington Commanders. It was the kind of performance fans had been waiting for, and head coach Dan Campbell couldn’t hide his excitement afterward.
“I thought Jamo showed up, man,” Campbell said. “He’s been doing a great job. I mean, he’s been busting his rear. He does every day. He comes to work. I mean, he grinds on it, man. He’s been unbelievable. And we just hadn’t, you know, we just hadn’t connected. And so, today, man, we got him going, you know, (quarterback Jared) Goff got him going and made some throws. And he made some big-time plays, man.”
It was a statement game for Williams, who had managed 355 yards and three touchdowns in the team’s first eight contests. But with Campbell stepping in to call plays for the first time this season, Detroit’s offense found its spark — and Williams found his rhythm.
Campbell’s Bold Play-Calling Move Pays Off
In a surprising shift, Campbell took over offensive play-calling duties from coordinator John Morton, donning his reading glasses and taking direct control of the attack. His decision wasn’t about panic — it was about perspective.
“It was just ‘Let’s try something a little different,’ right?” Campbell explained. “I know what I want to do. I know how I want to do it. Now, that being said, this is a collaborative effort. I mean, I was taking in input from John Morton that whole time and the other coaches. But I just wanted to change it up a little bit. Let’s just see if maybe a different play-caller can maybe get us a little rhythm. That’s all.”
Whatever the reason, it worked. The Lions’ offense rolled to over 500 yards, spreading the ball across multiple playmakers and dictating the game’s tempo from start to finish. Williams became the centerpiece of that rhythm, catching six passes — five of them classified as short routes — and turning them into explosive gains.
Williams Finds His Groove Again
After the game, Williams credited the team’s mindset and Campbell’s leadership for helping the offense rebound from their previous week’s narrow loss to Minnesota.
“Shout out to Dan and how he controlled the game,” Williams said. “I think we went out there with a chip on our shoulder and just with a chip to execute coming off the loss last week. And, you know, shout out to the players. I think (running back) Jahmyr (Gibbs) had three touchdowns. Everybody got the ball in their hands, so when you spread the ball around a lot like that, it’s easy to score a lot of points, especially with the playmakers we got at every position.”
Williams also broke down how the Commanders’ defensive approach gave him room to shine. “It was a lot of man and match coverage,” he said. “So us getting open and running away from DBs, it’s like a part of the game plan. You got to perfect that, especially when you get man and they trying to play back hip — just snatch off and it’ll be there.”
A Turning Point for Both Player and Coach
Sunday’s victory was more than just another win — it was a reaffirmation of what Detroit’s offense can look like when confidence and creativity meet. Campbell’s hands-on approach helped rediscover Williams’ explosiveness, reminding everyone of the receiver’s game-breaking potential.
As the Lions prepare for their next challenge, one thing is clear: Jameson Williams is back on track, and his head coach couldn’t be happier about it.