By Moses Joshua 
Lions receiver opens up about what changed when Dan Campbell grabbed the play sheet — and why it mattered in Detroit’s breakout win.
A New Voice, a New Rhythm
There’s been no shortage of turbulence in Detroit this season, but if the Lions’ Week 10 performance proved anything, it’s that the team still has the ability to flip a switch — and Dan Campbell might have just found it.
Detroit’s dominant 44–22 win over the Washington Commanders didn’t just push the Lions to 6–3. It marked the first game in which Campbell took over offensive play-calling duties, a move that instantly caught the attention of one of the team’s most explosive talents: Jameson Williams.
And according to the young receiver, the difference was unmistakable.
Williams Breaks Down What Felt Different
Detroit entered the season having lost both coordinators — Ben Johnson on offense and Aaron Glenn on defense — and the early signs of those growing pains showed up all over the film. At times, the Lions looked like Super Bowl contenders. At others, they looked stuck in neutral.
That inconsistency hit Williams harder than most. His production has been a rollercoaster:
- Two games with 100+ receiving yards
- Three games with fewer than 25 yards
- One game with zero catches
So when Campbell started dialing up plays specifically to unlock Williams against Washington, the receiver took notice.
Speaking on The Insiders, Williams didn’t hold back about the shift he felt with Campbell running the offense.
“I think the game was just called a lot smoother,” Williams said.
“We spread it out well, everybody got a chance, and we just created explosiveness when our numbers were called.”
For a player whose game thrives on momentum and timing, “smoother” is no small word.
Why Campbell’s Touch Matters
The Lions haven’t been short on talent — Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Williams form one of the league’s most dangerous skill groups. But talent only goes so far if the offense loses its rhythm.
Against Washington, Campbell didn’t reinvent the playbook; he recalibrated it.
He leaned into spacing. He opened the field. He made sure every playmaker got touches. And with offensive coordinator John Morton still heavily involved in planning the weekly script, the division of labor may end up benefiting both coaches.
Campbell’s style has always centered on identity: physicality, aggression, and relentless pressure. For the first time this season, Detroit’s offense looked exactly like that for four full quarters.
A Much Bigger Test Awaits
If Week 10 was the reset button Detroit needed, Week 11 will reveal whether it sticks.
The Lions travel to Philadelphia to take on the 7–2 Eagles in a primetime showdown with major postseason implications. Both teams are fighting for the NFC’s No. 1 seed — and neither has looked flawless doing it.
Campbell’s new approach will face a steep climb against an Eagles defense known for disguises, speed, and toughness. But if his game plan continues to feature Williams, Detroit’s offense has a chance to stretch the field in ways it hasn’t consistently this season.
The Bottom Line
Jameson Williams didn’t just compliment his coach — he confirmed something bigger:
The Lions finally felt like themselves again.
A smoother flow. A clearer identity. A head coach taking the reins at the exact moment his team needed it.
If Detroit builds on what it found in Week 10, Campbell’s decision to grab the play sheet may end up being one of the turning points of the Lions’ season.