Getty Image
If you put an NFL fan in charge of their favorite team, they’re likely to go for it on every fourth-and-short and go for two more often than not. Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is the actual embodiment of that ultra-aggressive philosophy.
But NFL fans, who have praised Campbell for his mindset in turning around the once-putrid Lions, are now turning on him after his latest big call. With Detroit trailing the Buffalo Bills 38-28 and 12 minutes left on the clock, Campbell opted for an onside kick. Buffalo recovered, returned the ball inside the Lions’ 10-yard line and scored touchdown one play late, all but ending the game.
Detroit struggled to stop the Bills’ offense all day. But with new rules that state the Lions’ had to declare their onside kick attempt, any element of surprise was out the window and the chances of it actually working were slim to none.
The move appeared to be the last straw for some who had previously praised Campbell’s risk taking. Now, they said, he had gone to far.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Dan Campbell actually needs to tone it back with the risk taking,” @Erica_Jones tweeted.
“Ok, Dan Campbell is insane. It’s just too much. I love aggressiveness, but it’s just too much,” wrote @Wendelllfp.
Campbell attempted to explain the decision after the game.
“I thought we’d get the possession, you know? I thought we were gonna get that ball. It was one of Bates’ best kicks that I’ve seen him have. That was a big kicker at the end, you know, that thing took a good jump on us, and Hollins made a heck of a play on it,” Campbell said.
But ultimately, even he realized his folly.
“Obviously, now sitting here in hindsight, after them taking it down to the (five)-yard line, yeah, I wish I wouldn’t have done that,” Campbell said. “But it is what it is.”
Detroit still has one of the best teams in the NFL, even despite a MASH unit full of injured players. And if they win a Super Bowl, maybe everyone comes full circle on Campbell. But for now, it appears that fans are starting to sour on the previously budding coaching star.