The Detroit Lions have dominated with three of the NFL season’s largest blowouts, including a 46-point win over the Jaguars on Sunday. They also trounced the Cowboys and Titans by 38 points each, making them the only team this season to consistently win by such wide margins. But with these impressive wins come questions about sportsmanship and strategy, particularly about leaving key players in the game with large leads.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell isn’t one to shy away from these criticisms. When questioned about keeping his starters on the field deep into the fourth quarter against the Jaguars, Campbell was straightforward, responding with a calm four-word answer: “It’s part of football.” He believes that maintaining rhythm and keeping players in top form takes precedence, especially when it helps his team stay consistent and sharp.
For example, quarterback Jared Goff and several other starters continued to play well into the fourth quarter, with Goff throwing passes as the Lions’ offense marched to its seventh touchdown in as many possessions. Only after that score did Campbell finally pull Goff and some other starters from the game. However, right tackle Penei Sewell, a valuable piece of the offensive line, stayed in, sparking more questions. Campbell explained that with only eight active offensive linemen, substituting every starter was unrealistic, especially given Sewell’s youth and health.
“You have to do what’s necessary to finish strong,” Campbell emphasized. He highlighted that protecting older players or those with lingering injuries is his priority, while younger, healthy players like Sewell are able to stay in when substitutions are limited.
Campbell also dismissed concerns about the potential for injuries, asserting that letting injury fears dictate gameplay could actually backfire. “I don’t want to let the fear of injury change our identity,” he said. For Campbell, the Lions’ strength lies in their aggressive playstyle, and he’s committed to staying true to that, regardless of critics’ concerns.
