Reaction to Dan Campbell’s fourth down decision in the Lions-Packers game

On December 6, 2024By Littum

Old school football coaches did not go to Dan Campbell’s School.

Kick the winning field goal on fourth down with less than a minute left, right? No, play with your hair constantly on fire. Go for it (again).

Campbell’s decision not to kick a fourth-down field goal with 43 seconds left in the Detroit Lions’ 34-31 win over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday and instead go for another first down to ensure Jordan Love and the Packers didn’t got the ball back would have been shocking on almost any other night.

Except it happened to be the fifth time in the game Campbell played on fourth down. The Lions converted four of them into first downs or touchdowns.

Running back David Montgomery moved the chains with a 7-yard gain, and Jake Bates kicked the game-winning 35-yard field goal with no time left on the clock.

“I just felt like we had to finish it on offense,” Campbell told reporters after the game. “I didn’t want to give that ball back and I believe we could get it (a first down).”

The whole thing with gas, no breaks on attack works. Campbell’s brave call continues to be brilliant as the Lions are now 12-1, in the playoffs for the second straight year and have their eyes on the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Here’s some social media reaction to Campbell’s final 4th down decision: