Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions put together another dominant performance in Week 8 as Detroit knocked off the Tennessee Titans. However, unlike previous weeks, the star of the series was not quarterback Jared Goff. Instead, return man Kalif Raymond dominated on special teams to help the Lions win their sixth game of the season.
Raymond came out against his former team the Titans on Sunday afternoon. He rushed for 190 punt return yards, 12 shy of the single-game record for punt return yards. That included a 64-yard return that nearly scored and a 90-yard drive home that found some ground. Lions head coach Dan Campbell gave a ton of praise on Raymond after his performance against the Titans.
“I know, everything for him, it’s been perfect, and it’s been the right mix and the environment has been great. And he’s been exceptional, with his level of confidence and everything he brings to us in as a player. I can sit here and talk all day about (Raymond) what a stud he is, but he’s just one of those guys. Campbell said, via Detroit reporter Tim Twentyman.
Kalif Raymond is a key member of Dan Campbell’s Lions
Kalif Raymond began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2016. In 2017, he played in six games with the New York Giants, but did not receive a major opportunity. He told Twentyman that he thought his career was coming to an end after his final game with New York.
“I was struggling,” Raymond said. “I had a lot of fear, a lot of doubts. I remember walking off the field, I was playing for the Giants, and I said, “I just played my last game in the NFL.” I was thinking that in my head.
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Raymond continued to work and eventually signed with the Titans in 2019. He became their return man and a gadget player on offense. He played parts of two seasons with Tennessee before hitting free agency. That’s when the Lions came calling and he signed with Detroit in 2021. Since then, Raymond has served as a mentor of sorts for Detroit.
“I tell guys all the time, ‘Go talk to (Raymond)’ to some of these kids. I’m like, ‘You want to know the reality in this league? Go talk to him,” Campbell said via Twentyman. “It will give you some perspective.”
The Lions improved to 6-1 in the 2024 NFL season as they continue to look like a top Super Bowl contender. However, they have a lot of work to do if they want to retain their NFC North crown. In fact, they have a huge NFC North showdown with the Green Bay Packers next week at Lambeau Field that could have major NFC playoff implications down the line.
