When Dan Campbell says something, he means it. The Lions' offense was humming last Sunday with Campbell calling plays, but Jameson Williams had just one catch on one target through the first two quarters. In the locker room at halftime, Campbell "did his talking to the team," Williams said Thursday, "and he just told me that he’s coming to me."
"I was already ready," said Williams, "but it just let me know that it's coming."
On the first play of the second half, Campbell dialed up a play-action pass to Williams on a comeback route down the left sideline for a 22-yard gain. Two plays later, with Williams lined up in the slot, another play-action pass on a slant over the middle for an 11-yard gain. The play after that, with Goff in shotgun and Williams lined up wider to the right, another slant, this time for a 14-yard touchdown. Too easy.
The Lions went big up front on each throw, with either an extra offensive lineman or multiple tight ends, ensuring Goff had the time to hit his target. Campbell was intent on living up to his word.
"That whole drive he dedicated it to me, he called plays for me, and I just went out there and made plays," Williams said. "It was something that I just had a great feeling."
As Williams was speaking in the hallway outside the Lions' locker room, Alex Anzalone walked past and yelled, "Talk that sh*t, Jamo!" Williams looked up, laughed and continued: "It felt great getting the ball and moving well with the offense."
Williams finished with six catches for 119 yards and a touchdown in the Lions' 44-22 win over the Commanders. His only error on his best drive of the season was failing to stick the landing on his front flip into the end zone. He smiled Thursday and said he'll "land one before the season's over. I got you."
"I was supposed to land that one, but I was going sideways -- I ain't got no excuses," Williams said with a laugh.
With Campbell calling plays for the first time in four years, Detroit's offense ran like a well-oiled machine, albeit against a weak defense. The challenge will be much stiffer Sunday night in Philadelphia. But the results in Washington were highly encouraging, especially the way Williams was deployed on shorter crossing routes that allowed him to catch the ball in stride.
After struggling to find a flow with offensive coordinator John Morton calling plays, the Lions set season highs in first downs (30), total yards (546) and rushing yards (226).
"It felt good, with the play-calling being so much smother, going out there and just being free and playing," Williams said. "That was a good thing for us. We converted and had a lot of explosives on our end, and shoutout to our defense. They got us the ball a lot, and we just scored on our possessions. Executing is the main thing."