Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will likely interview for head coaching openings again this offseason. But if he chooses to leave the Detroit Lions, it’s unlikely to be because he feels unappreciated.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell raved about the latest offensive play calling from Johnson a day after Detroit edged the Los Angeles Chargers 41-38 in an offensive shootout.
“I thought Ben [Johnson] called a hell of a game,” Campbell told reporters on November 13. “My gosh, I just felt like he was two steps ahead.
“I think you’d be hard-pressed to call a better game than he did offensively. I was really proud of him. It was great.”
The Lions racked up a season-high 533 yards on their way to 41 points. Detroit had near-perfect balance, as its offense posted 333 passing yards and 200 yards on the ground.
With Johnson as offensive coordinator since the start of the 2022 season, the Lions have had three 500-yard performances in 26 games. Prior to 2022, Detroit last recorded 500 offensive yards in a game during Week 6 of 2015 against the Chicago Bears.
The last time the Lions had at least 300 passing yards and 200 rushing yards in a single game was Week 13 of the 2013 season versus the Green Bay Packers
Dan Campbell Speaks Highly of Ben Johnson’s Lions Offense
On offense, Week 10 was a game for the ages for Detroit. Jared Goff of the Lions averaged 10.1 yards per pass and had only 10 incompletions on 33 attempts.
Amon-Ra St. Brown broke the 100-yard barrier for the sixth time this season with a career-high 156 receiving yards. Goff threw two touchdown passes, one to Brown.
With a healthy backfield, the Lions dominated on the ground too. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs led Detroit to 200 rushing yards, averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
Montgomery surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark. A 75-yard touchdown greatly helped his rushing total. Gibbs had more than 100 yards from scrimmage, with 77 rushing yards and 35 receiving yards.
“Offensively, that was the best game we’ve played up to date. I felt like we were explosive,” Campbell told reporters on November 13. “I thought Goff made some critical throws. Our receivers really showed up not only in the passing game but also in the run game.
“We wanted to be physical, and those guys on the perimeter did. That’s why we had explosive runs.”
For the first time in several weeks, the Lions were also healthy up front on the offensive line. Campbell didn’t leave that unit out of his superlatives on November 13.
“Ultimately, man, this offensive line—those five up front really set the tone,” Campbell said. “We needed them to. They’re the engines under the hood. Man, they make it go.”
With how successful Johnson’s play calling was in Week 10, it’s hard to argue with that decision.
After nine games, the Lions are second in yards per game this season. They are also sixth in points per contest.
