Lead
On Nov. 9, 2025 in Landover, Md., Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell took over play-calling duties after the team’s loss the previous week and guided the offense to a 44-22 victory over the Washington Commanders. The Lions scored on all eight possessions, amassed more than 500 total yards and produced a balanced attack that featured 226 rushing yards and three passing touchdowns from Jared Goff. Campbell said the decision was deliberate: he wanted to try a different approach while keeping offensive coordinator John Morton involved. The result was an explosive performance that unlocked Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs and restored offensive rhythm.
Key Takeaways
- Campbell resumed play-calling on Nov. 9, 2025 after a loss the prior week, citing a need to change the offensive approach.
- Detroit defeated Washington 44-22, scoring on eight straight possessions and surpassing 500 total yards — the fifth time in franchise history with 500+ yards, 40+ points and five road TDs.
- The Lions rushed for 226 yards and two touchdowns, their first 200+ rushing game since Week 3 of the season.
- Jared Goff completed 25 of 33 passes for 320 yards, three touchdowns and was not sacked; the offense converted the first four third-down attempts.
- Jameson Williams produced an explosive receiving quarter with five catches in the third quarter, accelerating a previously inconsistent season output.
- Campbell emphasized collaboration: he said he relied on input from John Morton and other coaches, and Morton publicly supported the team plan.
- The team is 6-3 following the win; Campbell previously took over play-calling in 2021 when the Lions were 0-8, but he argued the two situations are not directly comparable.
Background
Dan Campbell has been head coach of the Detroit Lions since 2021 and has intermittently taken a direct role in calling plays during his tenure. The most notable prior midseason change came in 2021 when he replaced Anthony Lynn as play-caller as the team struggled to 0-8; that move preceded gradual offensive improvement in subsequent seasons. Entering the Nov. 9 game, offensive coordinator John Morton retained primary responsibility for the passing game and game-planning, and the staff framed any shift as collaborative rather than unilateral.
The decision to alter play-calling followed a loss to the Minnesota Vikings the week before, when the Lions’ high-powered offense failed to reach its usual rhythm. Campbell said he and Morton spoke the following day and agreed to try a different in-game arrangement to see whether a fresh voice could unlock personnel mismatches and tempo changes. The Lions organization emphasized internal continuity: Morton continued to contribute heavily to the game plan and in-game passing reads.
Main Event
On Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at FedExField in Landover, the Lions executed an offense that appeared both more aggressive and more varied under Campbell’s in-game direction. Detroit ran for 226 yards and two rushing scores, a dominant ground performance that punctured Washington’s front and created favorable down-and-distance situations. Jared Goff distributed the ball efficiently, finishing 25-of-33 for 320 yards and three touchdowns while avoiding sacks entirely.
The Lions converted early third downs — going 4-for-4 on their first four third-down attempts — and built a lead that allowed them to run controlled drives late in the contest. Jameson Williams provided a notable burst in the third quarter with five receptions in that period alone, a single-quarter output that outpaced many of his games earlier in the season. Jahmyr Gibbs also contributed explosively, scoring multiple touchdowns and likening the offense’s freedom to ‘kids playing’ in practice.
Campbell described the move to call plays himself as a tactical choice prompted by last week’s performance and a desire to experiment with tempo and personnel. He said Morton remained integral to the plan and that the coaching staff collaborated on decisions. Morton, for his part, accepted the change publicly and continued to handle detailed aspects of the passing scheme during preparation and in-game adjustments.
Analysis & Implications
Short-term, the change yielded clear results: the offense looked more cohesive, balanced and explosive, producing a rare combination of 500+ yards and multiple long drives. The re-established running game (226 yards) reduced pressure on the passing attack and allowed play-action and downfield timing routes to flourish, magnifying Williams’ and Gibbs’ abilities. Such a performance can buoy team confidence and buy time for the staff to evaluate whether the tweak is repeatable.
Strategically, Campbell’s decision underscores the trade-offs head coaches face between delegation and hands-on direction. Bringing play-calling under the head coach can speed decision cycles and align in-game calls with an overall vision, but it risks overcentralizing responsibility and can create perception issues for coordinators. In Detroit’s case, public messages stressed Morton’s ongoing role to preserve staff cohesion and avoid the appearance of a demotion.
For opponents, the most immediate concern is that the Lions’ offense demonstrated an ability to vary tempo and personnel while remaining efficient. If Campbell continues to call plays, defenses may have to prepare for a hybrid attack that leans on run-pass balance, situational tempo shifts and creative motion to create matchups. Longer term, sustained success under this arrangement could influence contract and staff decisions, while regression would likely prompt further adjustment.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Nov 9 vs WAS | Season Avg (through Week 10) |
|---|---|---|
| Total yards | 500+ | ~370 |
| Rushing yards | 226 | ~115 |
| Passing (Goff) | 25/33, 320 yds, 3 TD | ~250 yds/game |
| Third-down start | 4-for-4 (first series) | ~40% conversion |
Context: the Nov. 9 performance exceeded the team’s season averages across multiple categories, notably doubling typical rushing output. That spike suggests both schematic changes and favorable matchups; analytics teams will separate variance from sustainable gains by examining play distribution, opponent weaknesses and situational efficiency over a larger sample.
Reactions & Quotes
‘I know what I want to do. I know how I want to do it,’ Campbell said when explaining why he took over play-calling this week, adding that the move was collaborative and he leaned on input from offensive staff.
Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions coach
‘He did a great job for someone who hadn’t called plays since 2021,’ Jared Goff said, praising the operation’s clarity and John Morton’s professionalism in adapting to the change.
Jared Goff, Lions quarterback
‘John gives me critical information that deals with the pass game; that’s his bread and butter,’ Campbell said, underlining Morton’s continued importance to the offense despite the in-game change.
Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions coach
Unconfirmed
- Whether Campbell will continue to call plays beyond the immediate upcoming games remains unconfirmed; the team has presented the change as tactical for this contest.
- Internal dynamics about long-term roles for John Morton and whether any staff reassignment is planned have not been publicly finalized.
- Any private conversations or alternative proposals discussed internally before the decision have not been independently verified.
Bottom Line
The Nov. 9 experiment produced a decisive offensive bounce-back for the Lions: a 44-22 road win, 500+ yards, and a restored running game. Campbell framed the move as a deliberate trial to alter tempo and execution while keeping Morton and other coaches involved, and early results favored that approach.
Whether this represents a short-term tactical tweak or the start of a longer-term shift will depend on consistency in upcoming games and how the staff balances expertise with the coach’s vision. For now, Detroit’s 6-3 record and renewed offensive form have reduced questions about identity and raised the prospect that the staff may iterate further rather than revert immediately.