What to know:
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Lions preparing for Patriots: Detroit head coach Dan Campbell discussed the team’s preparation for its international matchup against the New England Patriots in Munich, Germany, at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 15.
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Campbell embraces adversity: Campbell believes the team’s difficult schedule will help build character and prepare players for the postseason. His message: “The objective is to go through it.”
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Confidence in the roster: Despite other NFC contenders making moves before the trade deadline, Detroit stood pat. Campbell said he believes in the players already on the roster.
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Defense showing improvement: Campbell credited increased trust, communication, and better coordination between the pass rush and secondary for the defense’s recent progress.
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Andre Cisco joins the defense: The Lions acquired safety Andre Cisco before the trade deadline and plan to get him involved as quickly as possible.
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell says his team is focused on improvement, overcoming adversity, and building momentum as the Honolulu Blue prepares for a demanding stretch of the season.
Campbell understands the challenges ahead, but he isn’t interested in looking for an easy way through them.
As Detroit prepares for a difficult stretch of its schedule and an international matchup in Germany against the New England Patriots at 9:30 a.m., Campbell emphasized the importance of adversity, team chemistry, and continued improvement during his media availability.
“The objective is to go through it,” Campbell said of the challenges facing his team. “We’re not going to clear it. Our objective is to go through it.”
Campbell said difficult stretches during the regular season can help build the character necessary for a successful postseason run.
He believes the obstacles his team faces now can provide valuable experience when the stakes become even higher.
“It’s a good thing to be tested during the season,” Campbell said. “And certainly if you got to go on the road, that’s what this is. This is about us. This is the next obstacle we have.”
Campbell confident in Lions’ roster
Despite other NFC contenders making significant moves before the trade deadline, Detroit elected not to make a major splash.
Campbell said he remains confident in the players already in the building, pointing to their competitiveness, depth and steady improvement.
“We love our guys, man,” Campbell said. “These guys are competitive. There’s been constant improvement, consistent improvement.”
The coach dismissed comparisons to other contenders, making it clear his attention remains on preparing Detroit for its next opponent.
“I know what our squad looks like. I know who they are, and we’re going to have them ready to play and be ready to compete,” Campbell said.
Detroit’s defensive improvement also boosted the team’s confidence.
Campbell credited increased trust, better communication, and improved coordination between the pass rush and secondary for the unit’s recent progress.
“The rush and the coverage go hand in hand,” Campbell said. “Now it’s starting to play together.”
He added that the defense is beginning to resemble the group the coaching staff envisioned earlier in the season.
Defensive depth continues to develop
Campbell expressed optimism about Detroit’s defensive personnel, particularly the continued development of its defensive line and secondary.
He pointed to players returning to health and others becoming increasingly comfortable in their roles as reasons for confidence moving forward.
“When your bigs are getting better, you’re producing right now, and you feel like you’re getting better, and now you can trust these a little bit,” Campbell said.
The Lions also acquired safety Andre Cisco ahead of the trade deadline.
Campbell said the plan was to get Cisco involved as quickly as possible, although his exact role had not yet been determined.
The team’s personnel decisions also reflected concerns about maintaining depth at linebacker and in the secondary, particularly with injuries creating uncertainty surrounding several players.
Campbell said Detroit continues to evaluate its options while remaining mindful of the depth already available on the roster.
Injuries and trade deadline
Campbell acknowledged that injuries and uncertainty surrounding key players factored into the team’s discussions ahead of the NFL trade deadline, particularly when evaluating defensive depth.
Speaking to reporters, Campbell addressed the situations involving linebacker Jack Campbell and safety/nickel defender Kerby Joseph.
Jack said the acquisition of Cisco was partly motivated by uncertainty surrounding Joseph’s availability and the need to protect the team’s depth moving forward.
“One of the reasons we got Cisco, you know, is it’s good to see where Kirby’s at right now,” Jack said.
Jack explained that the team was preparing to get additional football work with Joseph and had been encouraged by the lack of setbacks.
“We’re going in another week here of him. We’re about to get a couple of days of work, two or three days of work, football work with him, no setbacks,” Jack said. “That’s a good thing.”
However, Jack said Detroit also had to consider the possibility that it could need additional help at the position.
Lions considered linebacker depth
Jack acknowledged that Jack’s situation was also part of the team’s trade deadline discussions.
While the Lions remain comfortable with their linebacker room, injuries and expanded responsibilities have created additional demands on the players who remain available.
“We like that room a lot. And we do have some depth,” Jack said.
He pointed to a guy such as Malcolm Rodriguez as an example of a linebacker taking on increased responsibilities.
Jack said the bigger concern was determining how those additional responsibilities could affect other areas of the roster, particularly special teams.
“Now it’s special teams. So, all right. How do we replenish? We get the depth,” Campbell said.
Detroit explored potential options before the deadline, but Jack acknowledged that not every possibility worked out.
The Lions also had to consider their future draft assets and the possibility of getting injured players back later in the season.
“Everything gets looked at,” Jack said when asked about the team’s personnel decisions.
Campbell provides injury updates
Jack also provided updates on several players ahead of Detroit’s upcoming matchup in Germany.
He said defensive end D.J. Wonnum had cleared an important hurdle and was expected to practice.
“As long as he gets through practice, he should be good to go,” Jack said.
The update was encouraging for Detroit as the team continues working through its injury concerns.
However, Jack was less optimistic about the availability of Cade Mays and D.J. Reed Jr.
Neither player was expected to practice, and Jack described their chances of playing as extremely unlikely.
“They’re probably — they got a way outside shot of playing. Way, way, way outside shot,” Jack said.
Offense looking to find its rhythm
While Jack was encouraged by the offense’s development, he acknowledged there are still areas that need improvement.
Detroit has continued to integrate personnel and build chemistry along the offensive line.
Jack believes the offense is becoming more comfortable with its identity but must improve its execution in critical situations.
“We do have to grow in a lot of things that we do schematically,” Jack said.
He specifically mentioned third-down execution and the importance of eliminating small mistakes that can prevent big plays from developing.
Jack also discussed how opposing defenses have adjusted to Detroit’s offensive weapons, particularly running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Germany native Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Teams have devoted additional attention to limiting Gibbs in the passing game, forcing Detroit to find opportunities elsewhere.
Jack said those adjustments can create opportunities for other playmakers, including the team’s intermediate passing options.
He also believes establishing a consistent deep passing threat will open up opportunities throughout the offense.
As for the trade deadline, Jack said they were looking at quite a few scenarios, but nothing worked out.
Germany provides a unique opportunity
The Lions’ trip to Germany represents another opportunity for the organization to showcase itself on an international stage.
Jack acknowledged that the trip will be a first for several players, including himself.
His previous international experience was limited to London.
The coach even prepared an opening statement in German, joking that it took approximately 10 to 15 minutes to get through the language with some help.
Jack said he views the international game as an opportunity to grow the NFL while allowing players and organizations to introduce themselves to new audiences.
He also sees a personal connection through his three sons, who enjoy soccer.
Jack compared the excitement his sons would experience watching international soccer teams play in the United States to the opportunity German fans will have to watch the Lions compete.
Ultimately, however, he said the team’s performance will determine the lasting memory of the trip.
“The best story in the world that we can come back with is a win,” Jack said.
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