Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions won a thrilling 34-31 game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football. With this win, Detroit has improved to 12-1 and has secured a playoff spot.
This game was all about Campbell, as he is the reason for his team’s win, but he could have easily been the reason for their loss as well. The Lions could have kicked a field goal to take a three-point lead with 43 seconds on the clock, but the head coach ran the ball on fourth down to get the first down, paving the way for Jake Bates to hit a walk-off 35-yard field goal.
Pat McAfee and Others Praised Dan Campbell
The Lions had turned the ball over on downs in their own territory earlier in the game, but that didn’t stop their head coach from doing what he is famous for. Campbell’s decision to go for it on fourth down was gutsy, but fortune favors the brave, and it helped seal the win for Detroit.
The @Lions go for it… and get it!#GBvsDET on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/uHtmLGvCWW— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2024
Campbell’s decisions came back to bite the team in last season’s NFC Championship Game. However, the Lions have their own identity, and they don’t run away from it, no matter the situation.
The 48-year-old head coach was praised by Pat McAfee, Robert Griffin III, and several others in the NFL world for his decision to go on the fourth down. Here’s how they reacted:
MCDC IS A WILD MAN
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 6, 2024
“Dan Campbell is loyal to his brand. I can respect it. And hate it. Great win,” Colin Cowherd said about the Lions win.
Skip Bayless wrote, “The Lions now play with Dan Campbell’s growling personality and will-not-be-denied confidence.”
“What a gutsy call instead of kicking it,” Chase Daniel wrote, who earlier called out Campbell after the Lions ball turned the ball over on downs in a similar situation earlier in the game.
Dan Campbell is gonna go for it on 4th Down no matter what you freaking think about it.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 6, 2024
The Lions finished 3-13 in their first season with Campbell but now are arguably the best team in the NFL. With the win against the Packers, Detroit’s head coach now has a record of 24-6 in the last two seasons and has his eyes set on winning the first Super Bowl in franchise history.
Lions Broke a Franchise Record vs. Packers
The Lions’ win over the Packers was a huge one. They will play the Buffalo Bills next week, and winning against Green Bay has put them in a pretty good spot to win the NFC North.
Not only did Detroit secure a playoff berth, but the team also broke a franchise record. For the first time in their history, the Lions have won 11 straight games and haven’t lost since September.
Detroit is on track to finish with the best record in the NFC and secure its home-field advantage for the playoffs. Playing in a dome suits their quarterback, Jared Goff, who had a solid performance against the Packers.
Goff was 32-for-41 against Green Bay and threw for 283 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, with a passer rating of 109.7. His interception did turn the game in the Packers’ favor as they immediately scored a touchdown to take a 21-17 lead, but the Lions star bounced back and led his team to a statement win.
As of now, Josh Allen and Saquon Barkley are the frontrunners to win the MVP award, but Goff still has enough time left in the season to make a valid case for himself.