Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media Monday following Detroit's 34-27 OT win over the New York Giants Sunday, a win that improved Detroit's record to 7-4 on the year. It's a quick turnaround for the Annual Thanksgiving Day Classic against the Green Bay Packers.
Here are all the key questions from Campbell's Monday press conference:
Could starting cornerback Terrion Arnold return in time for Thursday's game?
Arnold missed Sunday's win against the Giants with a concussion suffered the prior week in Philadelphia. Campbell said Arnold is progressing through the return-to-play concussion protocol and was listed as a limited participant on their estimated practice report released Monday. There is enough time, despite the short week, to get Arnold back if he keeps progressing.
What is the point of emphasis on offense this week against a very good Packers defense?
The Vikings mustered just 145 total yards (four net yards in second half) while going 2-of-9 on third down against a Packers' defense that comes into Thursday's contest ranked fourth in total defense and fifth in scoring defense.
Green Bay plays a lot of zone defense and relies on their front four to get pressure. Campbell said Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has that unit playing well right now.
The point of emphasis to Detroit's offensive players Monday was they must generate YAC (yards after catch) and be patient. Be patient for an opening for a big play and when one of those few opportunities comes, they must take advantage.
Campbell said coming out of the bye at the end of October that November was a time where teams separate themselves from the bunch. That hasn't happened yet for Detroit. What has Campbell thought of their November?
The Lions are 2-2 in November with losses to Minnesota and Philadelphia and wins over Washington and the New York Giants. They have an opportunity with a win Thursday to finish up November 3-2.
"You take it the way it comes, and you just try to improve along the way," Campbell said. "Maybe we have to go the hard road. Let's just win and find a way every week and grind it out."
How tough is this Sunday-Thursday-Thursday stretch the Lions have?
"It's great," Campbell said with a sarcastic grin on his face.
The coaches and players talked about a couple things that came up in Sunday's contest but they jumped right into Green Bay Monday and the team that can digest the game plan the fastest and get mentally ready has the advantage, per Campbell.
He also said this week is largely about recovery. Players getting bodies recovered Monday through Tuesday and by Wednesday, they need to ramp it back up to play 60-plus snaps all out at an elite level. Short weeks in the NFL are tough on the mind and the body, but every team deals with them, and Detroit is very familiar with it this time of year.
Does Campbell still get nostalgic with the Thanksgiving tradition in Detroit?
He has been a part of Thanksgiving, both as a player and coach, and still appreciates the opportunity.
"Everybody is watching this game," Campbell said. "You grow up as a kid watching it. Watching Detroit play and watching Dallas play. Detroit and Green Bay on Thanksgiving, I just think everybody knows what that is and everybody for the most part, grew up with that.
"Our guys know that too. I think that's what makes it special. It's one thing for everyone to see primetime games but most of the time, all the families get together and they are watching these games. It feels special in that regard."
Do Lions view Thursday as a revenge game given how Week 1 went?
The Packers put it on the Lions Week 1 in Green Bay when they won by two touchdowns. Detroit hasn't forgotten.
The Lions certainly didn't want to start the season that way and Thursday is their opportunity to even the season series and jump the Packers in the NFC North standings as Green Bay is currently a half game ahead of the Lions in the NFC North.
"We've got another opportunity in front of us at our place on a short week and we're looking forward to it," Campbell said. "It's a good team.
"It's a really good team but we are looking forward to this. We are looking forward to this a lot."
