By Moses Joshua 
Lions prepare for familiar foe as Jameis Winston steps in for the injured Jaxson Dart
A Familiar Face Returns to the Spotlight
The Detroit Lions won’t be facing rookie sensation Jaxson Dart this Sunday. Instead, they’ll see a quarterback Dan Campbell knows extremely well: Jameis Winston, who will start after Dart was officially ruled out while still navigating the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Campbell and Winston overlapped during their time with the New Orleans Saints, giving Detroit’s head coach a firsthand understanding of the veteran quarterback’s competitive DNA. And as the Lions gear up for a crucial home matchup, Campbell made it clear—Detroit is taking Winston very seriously.
“I know Winston very well, man,” Campbell told reporters. “This guy, he can put it on a dime. He’s not afraid to freaking rip it in there; he’s a competitive, smart guy. And so look, he’s going to give him a chance. He’s played a lot of games, man, won a lot of games.”
Campbell Expects Business as Usual from Giants Offense
Even though Winston brings a different toolbox compared to the dual-threat Dart, Campbell isn’t expecting the Giants to overhaul their approach.
“I think the core of what they do, and the pro-style offense itself, is not going to change,” he explained. “And I think even if Dart had played, there wasn’t going to be a ton of quarterback runs. So, I think the run game itself stays intact.”
Recent performances support that view. Over the last two contests, the Giants have leaned heavily on a bruising ground attack—311 rushing yards on 68 carries, with running backs accounting for 245 of those yards. Whether it’s Dart or Winston, New York’s formula remains rooted in physicality.
As for the passing game, Campbell again downplayed any dramatic shift, noting that Detroit prepared for both quarterbacks throughout the week. Even so, the Lions “had a hunch” Winston would get the nod.
What’s at Stake on Sunday
Both teams enter with urgency, but for very different reasons.
- The Giants are desperately searching for their first road win in over a calendar year.
- The Lions, meanwhile, are fighting to keep pace atop the NFC North as the Bears and Packers push toward a competitive December.
With kickoff set for 1 p.m. at Ford Field, Detroit now turns its full focus toward a quarterback their head coach knows better than most—a gunslinger whose confidence can change a game in an instant.
The Lions expect Winston to come out firing. And Campbell’s message is clear: Detroit will be ready.