'The little s— is killing us': Dan Campbell doesn't hold back on Lions' penalty troubles in Bills loss

In Week 1, the Lions outlasted the Saints in overtime despite some glaring issues. In Week 2, despite scoring 31 points, Detroit couldn't do the same against an AFC contender.

Following a 41-31 loss to the Bills on Thursday night, some pressure is starting to mount early on the Lions, particularly after missing the playoffs last season. And while Detroit's roster has had some clear holes through two games, Dan Campbell's team also couldn't help itself out on "Thursday Night Football."

Campbell, at halftime and at the podium postgame, ripped his squad for its issues with penalties throughout Thursday's loss.

Here's what Campbell had to say about penalties and the "little s---" costing Detroit in Week 2.

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Dan Campbell calls out Lions' penalty issues vs. Bills

Penalties weren't the lone reason for the Lions' loss — pass protection was a major problem, with Jared Goff sacked four times, as was the team's secondary, which had some significant breakdowns as Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes.

However, the flags didn't help. With nine total penalties on Detroit throughout the night, some of them halted any chances for momentum, such as a hold negating an interception.

This interception from the Lions was called back due to a hold. Fresh set of downs on the goal line for the Bills pic.twitter.com/jDFeqwFYQm

— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) September 18, 2026

At halftime, speaking to Amazon Prime sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung, Campbell said his team was making "costly errors" while down 27-10.

"We have not handled what we need to be doing right now," Campbell said at halftime. "Cut out the penalties, 'cause they're killing us. The little s--- is killing us."

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 18, 2026

Postgame, Campbell gave credit to Joe Brady and the Bills before noting that his team needed to play "a lot cleaner."

"We had a hand in helping them out there, a little bit," Campbell said postgame. "It was already a tall task, much less when you don't handle your own business."