Watch Dan Campbell's locker room speech after Lions' win over Saints

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Watch Dan Campbell's locker room speech after Lions' win over Saints

Watch Dan Campbell's locker room speech after Lions' win over Saints

Amy Huschka, Detroit Free Press · Detroit Free Press

Mon, Sep 14, 2026 ·

2 min read

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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.

Clay Downey, 6, throws a ball as his mom Nicole Downey, 40, center, both of Lapeer, talks with friend Kate Anderson, 31, of Macomb, in a parking lot near Ford Field ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

Camryn Anderson, left, 30, of Macomb, plays catch with Clay Downey, 6, of Lapeer, in a parking lot near Ford Field ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

Fans tailgate in a parking lot near Ford Field ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

Fans sit in lawn chairs as they tailgate in a parking lot near Ford Field ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

Noah Seraeiglia, 21, left, talks with his father Steve Seraeiglia, 52, tailgate in a parking lot near Ford Field ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

Fans walk towards the stadium ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

April-Joy Colbert, center, 43, of Detroit, waits in line to enter the stadium ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

April-Joy Colbert, 43, of Detroit, poses for a photo outside the stadium ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

April-Joy Colbert, 43, of Detroit, Fans waits to enter the stadium ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

Fans laugh as they wait to enter the stadium ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

Fans wear Detroit Lions helmets as they walk towards the stadium ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

Detroit Ambassadog walks in front of the stadium ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

The Honolulu Boom Drumline performs outside the stadium as fans wait to enter the stadium ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

Mark Colodny, 49, of Bay City, wears New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions chains as he waits to enter the stadium ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026. Colodny was born in New Orleans.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

April-Joy Colbert, 43, of Detroit, Fans looks at her phone outside the stadium ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

Fans enter the stadium ahead of a game between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.
(Josh Boland, Detroit Free Press)

Mitch Albom: Lions' zany win a classic Week 1 moment that can't be their normal

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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Contact Amy Huschka : ahuschka@freepress.com or follow her on Twitter/X ( @aetmanshuschka ).

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Watch Dan Campbell's locker room speech after Lions' win over Saints

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Watch Dan Campbell's locker room speech after Lions' win over Saints

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