## Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell's Post-Game Press Conference: Key Takeaways from the 52-21 Victory Over the Bears **News Title/Type:** Key Questions: What makes the Goff-St. Brown connection so successful? (Post-game press conference summary) **Report Provider/Author:** Tim Twentyman (detroitlions.com) **Date/Time Period Covered:** Monday following the Detroit Lions' Week 2 victory on Sunday, September 15, 2025. --- Following the Detroit Lions' dominant 52-21 victory over the Chicago Bears at Ford Field, Head Coach Dan Campbell addressed the media on Monday, September 15, 2025, to discuss the team's performance and key aspects of their improved 1-1 season record. ### Key Performances and Standouts: Campbell highlighted several players who impressed him after reviewing game tape: * **Defense:** Safety **Brian Branch**, edge rusher **Aidan Hutchinson**, cornerback **D.J. Reed**, edge rusher **Al-Quadin Muhammad**, and defensive lineman **Tyleik Williams**. * **Offense:** Wide receiver **Amon-Ra St. Brown**, quarterback **Jared Goff**, running back **Jahmyr Gibbs**, and the entire starting offensive line: **Taylor Decker, Christian Mahogany, Graham Glasgow, Tate Ratledge, and Penei Sewell**. * **Special Teams:** Linebacker **Zach Cunningham**, Al-Quadin Muhammad, defensive lineman **Pat O'Connor**, running back **Jacob Saylors**, and linebacker **Grant Stuard**. ### Brian Branch's Impactful Versatility: Campbell emphasized the significant advantage Brian Branch's versatility provides to the Lions' defense. Branch's ability to play multiple roles—covering like a cornerback, blitzing like a linebacker, and contributing as a safety—makes the defensive scheme much easier to execute. * **Branch's Statistics vs. Bears:** * Six solo tackles * Two tackles for loss * 1.0 sack * One pass defended * One forced fumble * **Historical Significance:** Branch is only the third defensive back since at least 1999 to achieve 15 tackles for loss, five interceptions, three forced fumbles, and 3.0 sacks within the first three seasons of their career. He joins Kyle Hamilton (2022-24) and Ed Reed (2002-04) in this elite group. ### Areas for Improvement: Despite the convincing win, Campbell identified areas where the team needs to improve: * **Generating Takeaways:** The Lions did not secure any takeaways in their Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers. While they forced two turnovers against the Bears (and two other turnovers on downs), Campbell expressed disappointment that the offense only converted two of these opportunities into points. "We have to capitalize when those come up," he stated. ### Al-Quadin Muhammad's Growing Role: Al-Quadin Muhammad's playing time and impact have increased significantly. After only seven defensive snaps in Week 1, he played 36 snaps against the Bears and recorded three pressures and a sack, ranking second among Detroit's pass rushers. Campbell noted Muhammad's relentless effort and pursuit of the football, stating, "He's been big for us and he's going to get more of a role. He's earned that." ### The Potent Goff-St. Brown Connection: The chemistry between quarterback Jared Goff and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was a major factor in the offensive success. * **Amon-Ra St. Brown's Performance:** * Nine receptions for 115 yards (12.8 avg.) * Three receiving touchdowns * Two rushes for seven yards * Totaled 122 scrimmage yards * Became the first Lions player since Calvin Johnson in 2010 to achieve at least 100 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in a single game. * **Campbell on the Duo:** Campbell described their connection as an "art form," highlighting their immense trust, rapport, and the crisp, detailed nature of St. Brown's routes, which allows him to anticipate Goff's throws. "They've just worked together for so long. We have a tremendous amount of trust in those two players." * **Jared Goff's Statistics vs. Bears:** * 23-of-28 passes completed (82.1 percent) * 334 passing yards * Five touchdowns * Zero interceptions * 156.0 passer rating ### Tyleik Williams' Unsung Contributions: Rookie defensive lineman Tyleik Williams' impact, while not always evident in the stat sheet, is crucial. He performs "dirty work" in the middle, drawing double teams and creating opportunities for others. * **Key Plays:** Williams made critical plays, including knocking down two passes, one on a fourth down that resulted in a turnover on downs. Campbell noted his "knack for that" and his continued improvement in the run game. ### Injury Updates: Campbell mentioned that the team is awaiting second opinions on injuries sustained by **Christian Mahogany** and edge rusher **Marcus Davenport**.
KEY QUESTIONS: What makes the Goff-St. Brown connection so successful?
Read original at detroitlions.com →Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media Monday following Detroit's impressive 52-21 victory over the Chicago Bears Sunday at Ford Field that improved their record to 1-1 on the season. Here are all the key questions from Campbell's Monday presser: Who stood out to Campbell Sunday after watching the tape?
Defense: Safety Brian Branch, edge Aidan Hutchinson, cornerback D.J. Reed, edge Al-Quadin Muhammad and defensive lineman Tyleik Williams. Offense: Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and the entire starting offensive line — Taylor Decker, Christian Mahogany, Graham Glasgow, Tate Ratledge and Penei Sewell.
Special teams: Linebacker Zach Cunningham, Muhammad, defensive lineman Pat O'Connor, running back Jacob Saylors and linebacker Grant Stuard. What kind of edge does Branch's versatility and skillset give the Lions on defense? "It makes our job a lot easier, that's for sure," Campbell said Monday. "Because he does have so much versatility."
Branch registered six solo tackles, two tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, one pass defended and one forced fumble against the Bears. He's only the third defensive back since at least 1999 to register 15 tackles for loss, five interceptions, three forced fumbles and 3.0 sacks through the first three seasons of a player's career, joining Kyle Hamilton (2022-24) and Ed Reed (2002-04).
Campbell said what makes Branch so valuable to Detroit's defense is the fact that he's a safety who can cover like a cornerback and blitz like a linebacker. "There's so many different things he can do," he said. "The guy is a major asset for us." TWENTYMAN: Week 2 observations NOTEBOOK: Goff, Lions' offense bounce back with 50+ points vs.
Bears FOUR DOWNS: St. Brown puts up 3-TD performance in Lions' win over Bears Despite the dominating performance, where does Campbell want to see his team improve the most next week? Campbell talked about needing to generate more takeaways after not getting any in a Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Detroit had two takeaways against the Bears and forced two other turnovers on downs. Campbell was a little disappointed that the offense was only able to turn two of those situations into points. "We have to capitalize when those come up," he said. Could we continue to see Muhammad's role increase?
After playing just seven defensive snaps in the season opener, Muhammad saw 36 snaps of action on defense Sunday and was second among Detroit's pass rushers with three pressures and a sack against the Bears. One thing Campbell said jumps off the tape when watching Muhammad is the effort he plays with.
He will hustle down and across the field in a relentless pursuit of the football. "He's been big for us and he's going to get more of a role," Campbell said. "He's earned that." What makes the Goff to St. Brown connection so special? St. Brown had nine receptions for 115 yards (12.8 avg.) and three touchdowns and added two rushes for seven yards to total 122 scrimmage yards on the afternoon, becoming the first Lions player since Calvin Johnson in 2010 to produce a game with at least 100 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
Campbell said it's an art form watching St. Brown and Goff work. "It's awesome to watch. They have such a rapport with each other. They trust each other immensely," Campbell said of the duo. "The way that he runs his routes. He so crisp and he's so detailed. It helps him anticipate the throws and they just have so much time on task.
"He knows exactly what he's going to do and St. knows exactly where the ball is going to be before he's out of the break. They've just worked together for so long. We have a tremendous amount of trust in those two players." Goff completed 23-of-28 passes (82.1 percent) for 334 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions for a 156.
0 passer rating against the Bears Sunday. Where is rookie defensive lineman Tyleik Williams making his biggest strides? Williams' contributions aren't always going to be noticed in the stat sheet. He does some of the dirty work in the middle, taking on double teams and opening lanes for others to make plays.
But Williams did show up on the stat sheet twice following the game, getting his hands on two passes, one on a fourth down that led to a turnover on downs. "He had a couple of critical plays there where he knocked those balls down and he's got a knack for that a little bit," Campbell said. "He just continues to get better in the run game taking on some of these double teams and clearing his blocks and making plays.
We see a player who is continuing to get better." Are there any injury updates from Sunday's game? Campbell said they are waiting on second opinions on injuries suffered by Mahogany and edge rusher Marcus Davenport.
