Lions coaches, NFL refs make costly mistake late in divisional game vs. Bucs
The Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are locked in a tight battle in an NFC divisional round game. Late in the third quarter, the Lions made a great defensive play by pressuring Baker Mayfield into an incompletion on second down. On another look, replay showed that they actually sacked Mayfield. His calf went down […]
The Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are locked in a tight battle in an NFC divisional round game.
Late in the third quarter, the Lions made a great defensive play by pressuring Baker Mayfield into an incompletion on second down. On another look, replay showed that they actually sacked Mayfield. His calf went down to the ground before he released the football.
With the sack, it would have been a sizable loss going into a major third down. Instead, Tampa Bay lost no yardage and proceeded to score on a pass to Rachaad White on the following play. That tied the game at 17 apiece.
The choice to not challenge the second-down play is a mistake that simply cannot happen.
NFL teams have analysts upstairs that tell their on-field staff whether or not they should challenge, and Detroit's staff let them down there. Dan Campbell also could have pulled the trigger to make that call, but he also knew that timeouts can be precious. It was risky without the 'green light' from their challenge analysts.
Additionally, in a close playoff game, the refs could have also held an official's review. They chose not to do that, either, on a very close call that the announcers questioned right after the play concluded.
All in all, it may not cost the Lions, but the decision should not be overlooked.
Everything you need to know about Lions vs Bucs divisional round matchup
What a week last week was. The Detroit Lions went out and got their first playoff win in over 30 years in front of the loudest crowd I've ever seen. My ears are still ringing a near week later. Now the Lions, and their fans, have a chance to recreate that moment a week later. […]
