Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media Monday one day after Detroit’s 24-6 win over the Colts in Indianapolis pushed their win streak to nine games and improved their record to an NFC best 10-1.
It’s a short week for the Lions with their annual Thanksgiving Day matchup Thursday. Here are all the key questions from Campbell’s Monday presser:
What are the injury updates from Sunday?
The Lions released an estimated practice report Monday after conducting a walkthrough in preparation for Chicago. Cornerback Carlton Davis III (knee/thumb), tackle Taylor Decker (knee), running back David Montgomery (shoulder), wide receiver Kalif Raymond (foot), defensive tackle DJ Reader (illness) and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) were all listed as not participating in Monday’s walkthrough.
Campbell said there may be three of those players listed who could miss this week: Decker, Davis and Raymond. He said St. Brown is a little banged up too, and they’ll have to see how he feels over the next 48 hours.
How much motivation does Detroit have to get a win on Thanksgiving?
Detroit has lost seven straight Thanksgiving Day games, but Campbell said the motivation this week lies more in this being a division matchup and he always values those games more. Campbell said this week is about rest and recovery and then getting a division win against a Bears team Campbell thinks is coming in very hungry after losing five straight games with a few of those right at the end in heartbreaking fashion.
How does Aaron Glenn keep getting his defense to step up week after week despite the injuries Detroit keeps suffering on that side of the ball?
“He puts in the work,” Campbell said of his defensive coordinator. “He puts in the work. He’s creative. Does a good job of understanding what our players do well, putting them in position to have success and where we feel like we can have the biggest advantage on our opponent.”
Detroit’s defense has not surrendered a touchdown in 10 straight quarters and have not allowed multiple touchdown passes in any of the first 11 games this season.
Is veteran cornerback Emmanuel Moseley ready to contribute on defense if needed?
Campbell said he is. Moseley played his first full game in two years Sunday in Indianapolis after rehabbing from a torn pectoral muscle suffered in training camp, that following a torn ACL suffered last season. Moseley played 15 special teams snaps but none on defense.
Cornerback Kindle Vildor was Detroit’s lowest graded player by Pro Football Focus in the Indy game after giving up three receptions for 60 yards.
With Davis dealing with a knee injury, the Lions might need to start Vildor, Moseley or someone else at cornerback against the Bears if Davis can’t play. The good news is rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold would have been a full participant in practice Monday after missing Sunday’s game with a groin injury.
How will the change in offensive coordinators in Chicago potentially affect Detroit’s preparations?
Chicago head coach Matt Eberflus relieved Shane Waldron of his duties and promoted passing game coordinator Thomas Brown to OC last week.
They simplified the offense some under Brown, and quarterback Caleb Williams played well in an overtime loss to Minnesota Sunday, completing 32-of-47 passes for 340 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for 33 yards.
There’s always an adjustment period that takes place with a new play caller and new operation. Campbell made a good point Monday when he said it will be interesting to see how it works on the road for the first time in the kind of environment and noise Chicago can expect at Ford Field Thursday. We’ll see if that plays a factor in the game at all.
