The margin for error is razor thin for the Detroit Lions offense right now. That’s because the Lions defense is ranked dead last or near the bottom of the barrel in most significant statistical categories.
But there’s one person who doesn’t really care — Lions’ Dan Campbell.
The head coach didn’t mince words during his weekly Tuesday radio appearance on 97.1 The Ticket. Campbell appears to see his offense as having unlimited potential. So with the Lions defense struggling, Campbell challenged his offense Tuesday to reach another level.
“Man, if you want to be great, they should want to score 35 points a game at a minimum. That’s what greatness is,” Campbell said. “That’s what they’re charged with. We’ve got plenty of weapons on offense, and if we’re going to accept mediocrity, then no. Then yeah, we can make all of the excuses in the world.
“But if we want to spit and sputter and be average, that’s one thing. [But] we’re not going to be average. We’re going to raise the floor on these guys. Man, we’re going to push them.
“We’ve got too much offensively right now. Our quarterback’s too good. Our playmakers are too good, and we’ve got a young, hungry offensive line that’s got a ton of room to grow.”
Campbell provided that answer with a lot of passion and energy in his voice. Actually, 97.1 The Ticket co-host Jon Jansen even began asking the next question, and then Campbell continued to answer with the last part about how much the Lions offense has going.
The Lions averaged 29.8 points per game in the first four weeks. After four games, they are ranked fifth in points and sixth in yards around the league.
Dan Campbell Challenges Lions Offense
Campbell fired that answer to a question from radio co-host Jim Costa asking if the Lions offense feels any pressure about having to be nearly perfect to win. Despite nearly scoring 30 points per game, Detroit has a negative point differential and 2-2 record.
It was a very fair question. The Lions posted 452 yards, averaged 6.6 yards per play, scored 26 points and didn’t turn the ball over in Week 4. Yet, they still lost by six.
But Campbell flipped the script on the offense needing to be perfect and challenged the unit to just simply be better.
While that’s a tall order, it’s a pretty great coaching tactic. The Lions are trying to navigate the often complicated NFL situation with one side of the ball playing significantly better than the other, which can often fracture a locker room.
With his comments, though, Campbell should have his offensive players focused on themselves. The head coach also appears to be right. With Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta and a growing offensive line, the Lions offense averaging 35 points per game the rest of the season isn’t an unrealistic goal.
How Can Lions Offense Be Better?
The Lions are ranked in the top six in points and yards. Yet, they can absolutely be better.
The unit was fourth in points and fifth in yards last season. Two years ago, they led the league in points and were second in yards. The Lions lost play-caller Ben Johnson, but besides the offensive line, the offense is largely the same.
Goff is off to a terrific start with 1,214 passing yards and nine touchdowns with zero interceptions. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is contributing to the unit overall, but Gibbs only has one 100-yard rushing game. In Week 4, Gibbs had 46 rushing yards.
The Lions can be better in that area. Williams could be more consistent too. Williams posted six receptions for 102 yards versus the Panthers, but prior to that, he didn’t have a 50-yard outing this season.
The Detroit offense could become more efficient too. They are eighth in red-zone touchdown percentage, which is a good ranking, but against the Panthers, they were 2-for-4 scoring touchdowns inside the red zone.
Furthermore, the Lions are eighth in net yards per pass attempt and 15th in yards per carry.
It will be difficult to improve upon some of those statistics. But with the offensive talent the Lions have, it can be done. It might have to be for the team to win with its struggling defense.
Dan Campbell Puts Lions Offense on Notice Amid Defensive Struggles