Lions Push Offense Ahead of Cardinals Week 5 Matchup

The Detroit Lions visit the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing facing his former team as Detroit looks to improve after a 32-26 loss at Carolina.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Lions have scored the fifth-most points in the NFL but have struggled with rushing production, penalties and red-zone execution. The team entered the matchup at 2-2, while Arizona was 1-3 after a 36-24 loss to the Giants.

Petzing, in his first season coordinating Detroit's offense, said his focus has remained on preparing for the Cardinals rather than reflecting on his previous tenure with Arizona.

"Honestly, it's something I think very little about," said Drew Petzing, Lions offensive coordinator.

The Lions offense has been under pressure because Detroit's defense has ranked near the bottom of major statistical categories, according to the Detroit Free Press. Detroit's passing game ranked third in the NFL at 287.3 yards per game, according to Fox News.

Head coach Dan Campbell criticized mistakes that limited the offense after the Carolina defeat, including seven penalties and inconsistent execution. He said the unit must avoid hurting itself during games.

"There are things that we're doing right now that are killing ourselves, man," said Dan Campbell, Lions head coach.

Campbell continued to describe the impact of self-inflicted errors after Detroit's loss to Carolina.

"And it's what we talked about last week. I mean, it's one thing when you know you've got to go against that opponent, you're going against another NFL team. But when you're fighting yourself too, that's hard. It's hard to win when you're doing that," said Dan Campbell, Lions head coach.

Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard rejected the idea that the offense must carry the team, according to the Detroit Free Press. He defended his unit while acknowledging the need for improvement.

"Ultra-disrespectful to my unit," said Kelvin Sheppard, Lions defensive coordinator.

Campbell later challenged Detroit's offensive players to reach a higher standard, pointing to the talent available with quarterback Jared Goff and other playmakers.

"They should want to score 35 points a game at a minimum," said Dan Campbell, Lions head coach. "That’s what greatness is. That’s what they are charged with. … If we want to spit and sputter and be average, that’s one thing.

We’re not going to be average. We are going to raise the floor on these guys. We are going to push them.

We have too much offensively right now. Our quarterback is too good. Our playmakers are too good."

Pass game specialist David Shaw said Detroit believes its offense can still improve. The Lions had scored 14 touchdowns entering the week, while slow starts remained a concern.

"We’re nowhere near our ceiling," said David Shaw, Lions pass game specialist.

Shaw added that the offense needs more consistent execution early in games to create momentum and expand its options.

"We’re early in the year. We have done some good things. But we’re not just here to do good things. We think we have a special group, and the film needs to reflect that on a play-by-play basis," said David Shaw, Lions pass game specialist.

Shaw also addressed Detroit's early-game scoring pace, with the team taking an average of 23½ minutes to score its first touchdown through the opening weeks.

"The slow starts just don’t allow us to get the in-game momentum that we are capable of getting," said David Shaw, Lions pass game specialist.

He explained that early production can influence the offense's rhythm and play selection during games.

"Getting first downs, getting points, that builds confidence. That opens up different things you’re doing. It allows you to see more plays. … Longer drives early in the game, you get to see a variety of the things that the defense is doing, which also helps our play-caller," said David Shaw, Lions pass game specialist.

Associate head coach Scottie Montgomery said Detroit expects its offense to operate at an elite level and maintain aggressive goals each week.

"We’re going play every game like we’re trying to score every single drive because that is what we are," said Scottie Montgomery, Lions associate head coach.

Montgomery added that the team's offensive identity is built around creating touchdowns rather than settling for conservative production.

"We’re a great offensive team. Great offensive teams are not thinking about how many times we can punt. We’re thinking about how many times we can score touchdowns," said Scottie Montgomery, Lions associate head coach.

The Lions and Cardinals are scheduled to play at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX, with Jared Goff entering the game after throwing for 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception through four games, according to Fox News.