Dan Campbell’s Risky Decisions Could Derail the Lions’ Super Bowl Hopes
The Detroit Lions entered their matchup against the Buffalo Bills riding a franchise-record 11-game winning streak but fell short in a 48-42 loss. Head coach Dan Campbell’s aggressive decision-making in the fourth quarter raised concerns among fans and analysts alike.
After a touchdown brought the Lions within 10 points, Campbell opted for an onside kick with 12 minutes remaining. The attempt failed disastrously as Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins returned the ball inside Detroit’s five-yard line, leading to an immediate touchdown by Buffalo.
Explaining his decision, Campbell said:
“I thought we’d get the possession, I thought we’d get that ball. One of [Jesse] Bates’ best kicks that I’ve seen, but it took a tough bounce, and Hollins made a great play. Looking back, knowing they got it down to the three-yard line, I wish I hadn’t done it, but it is what it is.”
Campbell’s game management in the final minutes also drew criticism. Trailing by 10 with 2:42 left, the Lions forced Buffalo into a fourth-and-goal situation at the 23-yard line. Instead of using a timeout before the two-minute warning to preserve time, Campbell allowed the clock to run. The Bills kicked a field goal with 2:03 remaining, and the Lions didn’t use their first timeout until only 25 seconds remained, leaving no realistic chance for a comeback.
Had Campbell called a timeout before the field goal, Detroit could have regained possession with approximately 2:35 left, plus two timeouts and the two-minute warning. Instead, valuable time slipped away.
While Campbell’s aggressive style has been a key part of Detroit’s success this season, missteps like these could prove costly in the playoffs, where every decision carries greater weight. For the Lions’ sake, Campbell will need to strike the right balance between boldness and caution to keep their championship dreams alive.
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