Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media Monday following Detroit's 16-9 loss on the road Sunday night to the Philadelphia Eagles that dropped the Lions' record to 6-4 on the year.
Here are all the key questions to come out of Campbell's Monday presser:
What did Campbell think about how all three units played Sunday after watching the tape Monday?
Defense: Campbell opened his presser praising the defensive performance, saying he thought they played their tail off. He was impressed with the four quarterback sneak stops the defense had and shouted out DJ Reader, Roy Lopez, Alim McNeill and Trevor Nowaske in particular in those situations.
"They were ready for it and it was critical," Campbell said. "It was crucial. They gave us a chance there."
The defense held Philadelphia to 1-of-3 in the red zone, limited opportunities in pass game, gave up just five explosive plays and were 5-of-6 getting stops on sudden changes while holding the Eagles to a 3.7-yard average in the run game.
"The only thing is we got no takeaways," he said of the defensive performance. "We're looking for those takeaways. Really needed one in a critical moment. But those guys played lights out."
Offense: Campbell said their difficulties on offense Sunday started with the ineffectiveness of the run game and their 3.5-yard average per rush. He said that was all inclusive across the offensive unit.
Detroit was just 3-for-13 on third down and 0-for-5 on fourth down and that wasn't good enough. It was a combination of missed throws, pressures, tipped balls at the line of scrimmage, drops and a couple bad calls on his part.
"There are some calls I want back, bad," Campbell said. "So, I had a hand in that."
Special teams: Campbell really liked the play of the coverage units but wants to see better play from the return game.
What gives Campbell confidence that the offensive line will be able to consistently play at a high level come December and January?
Detroit rushed for just a 3.5-yard average and quarterback Jared Goff seemed under pressure most of the night. The Eagles' defense was credited with 19 pressures in the contest as Goff was sacked twice and hit seven times.
"I believe in these guys, man," Campbell said of his offensive line. "I do. I just think the more they play together and they mesh, and we do things that we do well."
He said there were some things he wished he would have done differently to help the players out up front in terms of the way they went about attacking Philadelphia's defense.
What did Sunday teach Campbell about his play calling in his second week doing it this season?
Campbell referenced a 2nd & 3 play in plus territory where he ran a keeper back to the left and hated the call.
"Do you take a shot, or do you just get the first," he said. "If you are going to get the first, why do that? Why not run it one more time or maybe go the shot or a more completion play. Maybe it's a three-step. Those are the little things, man, you learn from as you go, that I think could have been a lot better. There's better and those are the things that I've got to be better at and I know I can be better at and I kick myself a little bit."
Are the batted balls a concern moving forward?
Philadelphia batted five balls down at the line of scrimmage and Eagles defenders said after the game it was something they identified on film they thought they could attack.
Campbell said he wished he would have pressed the scout team to work on it a little more last week and they will make it a bigger emphasis this week. It's something Goff needs to be cognizant of moving forward now that it's on tape.
Are there any defensive players the Lions could get back this week?
Cornerback D.J. Reed and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez are top on that list, per Campbell. Reed returned to practice last week and they're going to ramp him up this week with the hopes of getting him back vs. the New York Giants.
Rodriguez has been back at practice for a couple weeks now after tearing his ACL last November and could make his 2025 season debut Sunday against the Giants.
Campbell said they also expect to start cornerback Khalil Dorsey's practice clock this week. Campbell didn't think safety Kerby Joseph would be available again this week.
Did Campbell regret some of the fourth down calls?
Detroit was 0-for-5 converting on fourth down Sunday but after watching the tape and going through the decisions again on Monday, he said he probably would have done it again based on where they were on the field, being on the road, wind in their face in some of those situations and being in fourth and manageable.
