Here’s everything Lions coach Dan Campbell said following Detroit’s 23-20 Thanksgiving victory over the Chicago Bears, which improved their record to 11-1.
Opening Remarks:
“Happy Thanksgiving! This was a good win. We found a way to get it done, and that’s what matters. Credit to Chicago—they played hard, as we knew they would. We started strong on offense and got some quick stops on defense, controlling much of the first half. But mistakes like the turnover near the end zone and penalties in the red zone hurt us. Letting them score after halftime shifted momentum, but I was proud of how our offense responded with a touchdown of their own.
We complemented each other well—like Jack Fox’s massive punt to pin them at the one-yard line, followed by the defense holding strong at the end. It wasn’t perfect, but we did what we needed to do. We’ll enjoy this first Thanksgiving win since I’ve been here, take a couple of days off, and get ready for Green Bay.”
On Defensive Standouts:
“Our front played incredibly hard. Za’Darius Smith had a great game, DJ Reader was outstanding, and Alim McNeill was solid. Josh Paschal played well until his injury, and getting Al-Quadin Muhammad back was huge. He’s relentless and gave everything he had. The defense stepped up despite the injuries, and the sack on their last drive was crucial.”
On Late-Game Strategy:
“I had a feeling we’d force a takeaway late in the game, but it didn’t unfold exactly as I thought. In tight games like this, you’re constantly weighing scenarios—whether to call a timeout or let the clock run. Ultimately, I’m proud of the defense for holding firm. I knew we’d make a stand, but it was great to see how it played out.”
On the Close Win:
“I told the team: don’t start grading your wins. It’s good to hold high standards, but you can’t take victories for granted. This was a tough, hard-fought division game, and we did what we needed to do to win. We’ll clean up the mistakes, but I’m not going to lose sleep over them. I’ll take this win.”
On Jameson Williams’ Taunting Penalty:
“That’s already handled. Jamo stood up in front of the team, apologized to his teammates on his own. That’s growth, and we’re good now.”
On His Mood After the Win:
“Much better! This was our third division win, which is huge in this playoff race. It’s also our 11th win and another conference victory. I feel good, and I’m going to enjoy this Thanksgiving with my family. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your families!”
On Kindle Vildor’s Pass Interference:
“I didn’t have an issue with the coverage. Vildor was competing for the ball, and that’s why he’s here. He’s a fighter, and we love his effort and tenacity.”
Campbell emphasized the importance of the win while acknowledging areas for improvement, expressing pride in his team’s resilience and determination.
