By Moses Joshua 
From Jahmyr Gibbs’ heroics to clutch plays across the roster, head coach Dan Campbell breaks down Detroit’s overtime victory.
Campbell Salutes the Team’s Resilience
After a hard-fought 34-27 overtime win against the New York Giants, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell offered an unfiltered assessment of his team’s performance.
“Credit to that team, man. They played hard, threw the kitchen sink at us, but we knew they would,” Campbell said. “Man, I’m proud of the guys. We hung in there, we fought… Came down to the wire, had to win in overtime, but I’ll take that win. That’s a good win.”
Campbell highlighted key contributors across the roster, including quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs. He also noted the impact of returning cornerback D.J. Reed and the collective efforts of both the offensive and defensive lines.
Jahmyr Gibbs: The Game-Changer
Gibbs’ performance was nothing short of electrifying, and Campbell made no secret of his admiration for the running back.
“He’s electric. He’s a game-changer… Man, when he found a crease, he was going to the house. This was not about first downs or picking up a few yards. This guy is going to the house. He’s got vision. He’s a difference-maker. He bailed us out today in a big way,” Campbell said.
When asked about the moment Gibbs broke free, Campbell admitted, “He’s gone. You’re hoping… and sure enough, he did. It didn’t take much for him. He’s got home-run speed. Good job all the way around.”
Clutch Plays in Critical Moments
Special teams and defense also played pivotal roles in Detroit’s victory. Campbell praised kicker Jake Bates for his game-tying field goal and lauded Hutchinson for a crucial defensive stop in overtime.
“Big kick, big time… He’s clutch. When we need him most, he goes out there and he makes the kick for us,” Campbell said. On Hutchinson’s play, he added, “That stop before we got the ball back was huge… Defense stepped up for us. Things we can clean up, yes, but when we needed it most, those guys stepped up.”
Goff and the Passing Game Deliver
Campbell also spoke about the effectiveness of the passing attack in the final drives.
“The protection was good. Those guys up front did a heck of a job… Goff’s procedure in two-minute was great. He ran the show, and guys made plays, got ourselves in position,” Campbell said, acknowledging contributions from Amon-Ra St. Brown and others.
He noted some communication issues late in regulation but emphasized that the team overcame them. “Thank God it didn’t cost us,” he added.
Lessons from a Hard-Fought Win
Reflecting on what the victory means for the Lions moving forward, Campbell offered a philosophical perspective.
“You never know what these can do… It’s important to remind yourself what we’re all capable of, even when the chips are down,” he said. “Anytime you can get a win like this, it’s a good thing… because that very easily could have gone the other way. But it didn’t. We made the plays we had to make.”
Detroit now improves to 7-4 on the season, carrying momentum into a short-week matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving. Campbell’s candid postgame remarks underscore a team resilient under pressure, led by standout performances from both veterans and emerging stars like Jahmyr Gibbs.