FILM REVIEW: HOW THE LIONS WON WITHOUT CAMPBELL
The film doesn’t lie. Detroit didn’t win pretty in Miami — they won tough. 19-9.
And the biggest question going in was: how do you replace Jack Campbell?
Campbell had played in all 58 games of his career. Started 44 straight. Played 100% of the snaps in 31 of his last 33 games before the neck injury in Week 8.
Here’s what the tape showed:
1. MALCOLM RODRIGUEZ STEPPED UP
Rodriguez played 55 defensive snaps — matching the most of his 5-year career, and his highest snap percentage ever. And the tape was highly encouraging. He filled the run, he flew around, he played like a starter.
2. BARNES TOOK THE GREEN DOT
Derrick Barnes took over the sideline communication duties with the green dot helmet. That’s the brain of the defense. He handled it.
3. DEFENSE WON THE GAME
Miami got just 228 total yards. 12 first downs. Zero touchdowns. Just three field goals.
Malik Willis: 128 passing yards. Sacked 3 times.
4. OFFENSE DID JUST ENOUGH
It wasn’t the No. 1 offense we expected. The offensive line struggled. Rookie Miles Frazier got his first career start. Miami’s defense gave Detroit fits.
But Jake Bates was perfect — 4-for-4 on field goals from 28, 40, 33, and 43 yards. That was the difference in a game where points were at a premium.
This is now 4 straight wins. And in those 4 wins, Detroit is giving up just 15.5 points per game.
They honored 46 by playing like 46. Physical. Locked in. No excuses.
Next man up isn’t just a slogan in Detroit right now. It’s real.
What did YOU see on film, Lions fans? Who was your player of the game?
Mabel Joshua is the founder and lead editor of CelebrityTale.com with 4+ years covering celebrity news, entertainment trends and pop culture. She curates breaking stories with verified sources, focusing on real-time updates from Hollywood, music and lifestyle. When not reporting, she tracks emerging talents and viral moments across social platforms.
