Dan Campbell praises Jameis Winston ahead of showdown
Lions Head Coach anticipates Winston’s impact
As the Detroit Lions gear up for their matchup against the New York Giants, head coach Dan Campbell has expressed admiration for the Giants’ quarterback Jameis Winston, who will be taking the helm this Sunday after rookie Jaxson Dart was ruled out due to concussion protocol.
Campbell, who previously worked alongside Winston during their tenure with the New Orleans Saints, shared insights into what makes Winston a formidable opponent. “I know Winston very well, man,” Campbell stated. “This guy, he can put it on a dime. He’s not afraid to freaking rip it in there; he’s a competitive, smart guy. So look, he’s going to give them a chance. He’s played a lot of games, man, won a lot of games.”
Giants adjust with Winston in command
With Dart sidelined, Winston is set to make his second start of the season. This transition marks a notable shift for the Giants, but Campbell doesn’t foresee a dramatic alteration in their offensive strategy. “I think the core of what they do, and the pro-style offense itself, is not going to change,” he explained. “And I think even if Dart had played, there wasn’t going to be a ton of quarterback runs. So, I think the run game itself stays intact.”
This assessment aligns with the Giants’ recent performance, where they have accumulated 311 rushing yards over the last two games on 68 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. Notably, running backs contributed to 245 of those rushing yards, reinforcing the notion that their ground game remains a critical component of their offensive identity.
Preparation for a familiar foe
Although the Lions prepared for both Winston and Dart leading up to the game, Campbell admitted there was a growing suspicion that it would be Winston starting against them. The Giants themselves are on a quest for their first road victory in over a year, while the Lions aim to maintain their competitiveness in the NFC North alongside the Bears and Packers.
With kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, both teams are poised for a showdown that promises to be pivotal for their respective seasons.
