By Moses Joshua 
Dan Campbell doubles down on his approach as Detroit braces for a must-win primetime matchup
Staying the Course Amid Turbulence
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has reached a crossroads in the season — but he’s not budging on one of his most heavily criticized decisions. Despite the outside noise, despite a sputtering offense, and despite the pressure of a tightening NFC playoff race, Campbell made it clear this weekend that he will continue calling the offensive plays when Detroit hosts the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football.
Campbell took over the job from offensive coordinator John Morton back in Week 10 during a win over the Washington Commanders. Since then, the results have been uneven at best. But Campbell didn’t dodge responsibility or dress it up.
“It’s the right thing to do with where we’re at right now,” he said — a direct acknowledgment that the team is struggling, yet still committed to his chosen direction.
Offensive Issues Mounting — and Campbell Knows It
The Lions’ offense has hit rough patches against high-level defenses such as Philadelphia and Green Bay. Their timing has been off, their discipline inconsistent, and their ability to sustain drives hampered by repeated, self-inflicted mistakes.
Campbell was blunt about the problem areas: alignment errors, missed assignments, and penalties that derail possessions before they ever find rhythm. He also highlighted protection breakdowns from last week’s performance, noting that the opportunities were there — but the execution simply wasn’t.
Injuries aren’t making things easier. With Amon-Ra St. Brown battling an ankle issue and Detroit sitting at 7-5, every offensive miscue feels magnified.
Still, Campbell is holding firm.
A Vote of Confidence in Himself — and His Team
Even amid growing scrutiny, Campbell isn’t wavering on who should be holding the play sheet. His message has been consistent: Detroit’s offensive problems are fixable, but they require immediate attention and total focus.
He believes the team can rebound. He believes the process will work. And he believes he is the right man to steer the offense through the storm.
With the Dallas Cowboys coming to town and Detroit needing every win it can get to stay alive in the playoff race, Campbell’s decision represents both risk and conviction.
A High-Stakes Moment for Detroit
The Lions are teetering between resurgence and collapse, and Thursday night may very well become the turning point. Campbell is betting on his leadership, his voice, and his vision.
Detroit still has time to steady itself — but as their head coach made clear, that turnaround must begin now.
And he’s keeping the call sheet in his own hands to make it happen.