Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell stuck to his strategy in Sunday night's NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, and it may have cost them at least six points.
Campbell made the decision to forgo field goal attempts and try to convert on fourth down.
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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell reacts before a game against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at Levi's Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The first attempt came with 7:03 left in the third quarter with the Lions up 24-10. Detroit had a chance to go up 17 points, but the team decided to go for it on 4th-and-2 at the 49ers' 28-yard line. Jared Goff threw a pass to Josh Reynolds, but it was incomplete.
In the fourth quarter, Detroit could have tied the game with a field goal, but decided to go for it on 4th and 3. Goff threw a pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown, but it was also incomplete.
Detroit had two opportunities to put at least six points on the scoreboard. However, his aggressiveness failed twice as the 49ers advanced in the second half.
The Lions lost the game 34-31.
NFL fans criticized X's decision making.
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Detroit Lions' No. 8 Josh Reynolds fails to make a catch during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at Levi's Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
“I have no doubt that Dan Campbell is a great leader and inspires his team well,” wrote former Green Bay Packers executive Andrew Brandt. “But his decisions have harmed them today.”
“Dan Campbell is an absolute fool. They can't blame anyone but him if they lose,” NESN's Kendra Middleton wrote.
“I know Dan Campbell's whole philosophy is to try, but I mean… I'm stunned,” wrote Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports.
“This momentum shift falls on Dan Campbell. He kicks the damn field goal,” ESPN's Matt Barrie added.
Campbell said after the game that he had “no regrets” about the decisions.
“I felt really good about the conversion,” Campbell said after the game. “And get our momentum and not let them play long balls. They were wasting time, that's what they do, and I wanted to get the lead back.”
The Lions have attempted fourth downs more often since Campbell took over as head coach. The Lions were successful 54.76% of the time on fourth down, which ranked 12th in the NFL, according to Team Rankings.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell reacts during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at Levi's Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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However, their game plan may have cost them a trip to the Super Bowl.
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