Dan Campbell’s late-game gamble draws reaction from Matt LaFleur after Packers loss to the Lions
The Detroit Lions are knowingly aggressive on fourth-down decisions. It wasn’t different on Thursday night, a 34-31 win over the Green Bay Packers. But to be fair, it was extreme late in the game. After scoring two touchdowns and giving up a turnover on downs on the defensive field on fourth downs, head coach Dan […]
The Detroit Lions are knowingly aggressive on fourth-down decisions. It wasn’t different on Thursday night, a 34-31 win over the Green Bay Packers. But to be fair, it was extreme late in the game.
After scoring two touchdowns and giving up a turnover on downs on the defensive field on fourth downs, head coach Dan Campbell was super aggressive in the final minute, going for it on fourth & 1 with the game tied.
Had they not converted, the Packers would have the opportunity to win the game with a field goal. The normal option would be kicking the field goal, but that would allow the Packers to have something around 40 seconds on the clock to tie the game.
After the game, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur talked about the situation. He wasn’t shocked, based on Campbell’s track record, but it was certainly an interesting decision.
“Maybe the one at the end of the game, a little bit (surprised). But that's how Dan has done it throughout the course of his career,” LaFleur pointed out. “So it doesn’t necessarily surprise me. That gave us an opportunity there. Hats off to them, they executed it and we didn't.”
Even analytics models, which are usually aggressive, recommended kicking the field goal. But the decision was worth it for the Lions, who converted the fourth down and kicked the field goal with the time expiring.
“They're a really good football team, very well-coached, a lot of great players,” LaFleur added. “It's tough to come in in somebody else's building, you gotta play better. So I think there are some areas where I think we can really look at this, where we have to improve upon, situationally. Like, third down. That was critical. And not coming away with a touchdown there at the end in the red area, that was tough as well. But I think offensively and defensively, the third and fourth down was probably the difference in the game.”
With a 12-1 record, the Lions are officially in the playoffs — and closer to the second consecutive NFC North title. The Packers are 9-4, and while the division is out of reach, the team still has a good shot at making the playoffs as a wild card.
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