The Detroit Lions are in desperate need of inspiration. And Dan Campbell is not the root of the problem.
For the second time in three weeks, and the second time in as many home games, the Detroit Lions laid an egg in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
This weekend the Lions won’t lose, even if the sportsbooks have had a little fun pitting them against “Bye.” However, despite being in the shallow end of the talent pool, they have already proven they can give more effort than they did against the Eagles.
After heart-breaking losses to the Ravens and Vikings earlier this season, it was understandable to have a letdown the following week. It’s even understandable that the Lions had a letdown after being so competitive against the Rams and coming up short. But there could be more at work here than just an emotional letdown after not being able to close out a victory.
Some will say it’s Dan Campbell’s fault. They believe he has lost his team already. But quite frankly, he has been the Lions’ lead motivator. The players respect him, and follow him without question.
Yet there clearly seems to be a pattern of uninspired play. If it isn’t Campbell’s fault, then who is to blame?
Dan Campbell is not solely to blame for Lions’ letdowns
The answer may very well be the same person who has been assigned the majority of the blame for this poor season by the fans and media so far: Jared Goff.
Goff earned respect from his new teammates with his work in OTAs. He continued to gain their respect during training camp. He was even voted one of the team captains. So despite the respect he seems to have earned, is it possible Goff could somehow at least be a contributing factor to this uninspired play?
Actions speak louder than words. When Matthew Stafford was a Lion he was surrounded by marginally talented teams on plenty of occasions. Yet he inspired and even carried them. Sure they never became contenders, and didn’t win as much as the fans would have liked, but his play was not to blame.
What is Goff’s play saying to his teammates? He holds the ball too long, moves into sacks, and refuses to stretch the defense.
Will Goff find a way to make it work? The defense pretty much knows they have to pitch a shutout to have a chance to win. The receivers pretty much know if they aren’t running a short route he probably isn’t looking their way. The offensive line knows they will have to pass block longer than what is reasonable pretty much anytime Goff takes more than a three-step drop.
What Goff has done is create additional pressure on his teammates. He as only performed well when surrounded by talent and an innovative system like Sean McVay’s. That is not the case in Detroit.
Is it all Goff’s fault? No, there is plenty of blame to pass around, but Goff has done nothing to elevate the play of his teammates. With more talent around Goff, the Lions would probably have a few victories by now. Not necessarily because of Goff, but because the team would simply be better.
Campbell is right to expect Goff to show more than he has. The truth is that Goff is the only real option the Lions have at quarterback. Would giving David Blough or Tim Boyle, should he return from IR after taking part in pre-game warmups last Sunday, a chance spark something?
There are plenty of reasons the Lions have been uninspired at times this season, but Campbell isn’t on the list. Goff’s ineffectiveness may very well be fueling a lack of motivation like we saw against the Eagles, as everything and everyone else has to make up for lackluster quarterback play every week.