The most challenging task for any new coach taking over a bad team is changing the culture and persuading the team it’s good.
That’s what Dan Campbell has done in Detroit. That leads our NFL Week 11 recap.
He’s turned a perennial loser into a winner with a combination of toughness and enthusiasm that’s infectious.
The Lions put each of those traits on display Sunday to rally from a 12-point deficit in the final three minutes to beat Chicago 31-26 and stretch its lead to two games in the NFC North.
Detroit has not been 8-2 since 1962 when the Beverly Hillbillies was the No.1 show on TV, and the Civil Rights Act hadn’t been passed yet. The Lions, who have won 16 of its last 20 games, have had only two seasons with double-digit wins since 2000 and just five since 1991.
We got a chance to do something special,” coach Dan Campbell said.
The Lions trailed 26-14 with 4:15 left, partly because Jared Goff struggled. He threw three interceptions — the Lions committed four turnovers — and finished with 236 yards passing.
“Down two scores, that’s when he’s at his best,” Campbell said. “I think that speaks volumes.”
The Lions drove 75 yards in six plays to pull within 26-21 on a 32-yard touchdown pass to Jamison Williams. They forced a three-and-out before driving 73 yards in 11 plays for the go-ahead touchdown. David Montgomery’s one-yard touchdown and run and Jarod Geoff’s two-point pass to Sean LaPorta pushed the lead to 29-26 with 29 seconds left. A safety by Aiden Hutchison provided the final points.
“It was not my best ball for about 3 1/2 quarters,” Goff said. “We’re a resilient crew. We’re tough. We don’t back down.”