Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell admitted in his locker room speech on Sunday, Sept. 13, after the overtime win, 31-30, over the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field in Detroit, the game was not how he envisioned it.
"That’s not how you see it going, OK," Campbell said.
But, even though the team didn't play the cleanest, they found a way to win.
"When we needed somebody to pull us back out of the water, our heads underwater, we did that," he said.
He gave a shout-out to the offense, after saying the defense had forced three turnovers. "We turned ‘em into points. That’s significant."
Before Campbell announced the game balls, he said there is a lot to clean up.
"It’s Week 1, and then you clean this s---
up because it feels a hell of a lot better than the loss to have to clean it up," he said.
The three game balls went to wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tay Martin and linebacker Derrick Barnes.
St. Brown had 10 catches for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns, including the game winner.
Barnes had 4 tackles, a sack and an interception, and Campbell said was all over the field.
“We got a game, quick-ass turnover, bro, so everything on Buffalo," Barnes said. "Let’s get that win. Let’s go.”
Martin, who was drafted by the Lions while playing in the UFL, was honored for his special teams play.
“Appreciate Dan for giving me a shot," Martin said.
After the game balls were handled out, quarterback Jared Goff told the team, "I promise you we are going to get on a roll."
The Lions travel to Buffalo's new Highmark Stadium to take on the Bills at 8:15 p.m. for Thursday Night Football.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Watch Dan Campbell's locker room speech after Lions' win over Saints
