Dan Campbell’s Bold Call on 4th Down Seals Lions’ Thrilling Win Over Packers
DETROIT — When the game was on the line, Dan Campbell didn’t flinch. The Detroit Lions head coach made a gutsy call that not only secured a dramatic 34-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers but also clinched a playoff spot for the second consecutive season—a feat the Lions haven’t achieved since 1994-95.
With just 43 seconds left in the game, the score tied at 31-31, and the Lions facing a fourth-and-inches situation at Green Bay’s 21-yard line, Campbell decided to roll the dice. Instead of playing it safe and kicking a field goal, he trusted his offense to get the job done. And boy, did they deliver.
Running back David Montgomery bulldozed his way for a 7-yard gain, setting up kicker Jake Bates for a 35-yard game-winning field goal as time expired. The Lions’ gamble paid off in spectacular fashion, extending their franchise-record winning streak to 11 games and keeping their hopes alive for the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
“I just felt like we needed to end it on offense,” Campbell said after the game. “I did not want to give that ball back, and I believed we could get that. I trusted that O-Line and I trusted David, and they came through for us.”
Campbell also gave credit to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for the play call. “It’s a hell of a call by Ben,” he said. “I knew how I wanted to play this game. The team knew it, and everything in me told me let’s finish this, and we did.”
Bates Stays Cool Under Pressure
For Jake Bates, the game-winning kick was just another day at the office. The NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November has now delivered three game-winning field goals this season, including a 52-yarder in Week 10 against Houston and a 44-yarder in Week 7 at Minnesota.
Despite his heroics, Bates remained calm and focused after the game. “I’m trying to stay as leveled as I can and just be the same person every day,” Bates said. “Fipp likes to say, ‘Never ride the rollercoaster.’ So, not riding the highs, not riding the lows, and just staying right here.”
Fourth-Down Bravery Defines the Lions
The Lions’ aggressive approach on fourth down was a defining feature of their win. They converted four fourth-down attempts against the Packers, their most in a game this season and tied for their most in a game over the past 40 seasons, according to ESPN Research.
In fact, Detroit became just the second team in the last 45 seasons to go for it on fourth down inside the opposing team’s 25-yard line with the score tied in the final minute. The only other team to do so? The Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17 of the 2021 season against the Kansas City Chiefs, a game they also won with a last-second field goal.
Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown praised Campbell’s confidence in those high-pressure moments. “We knew we were gonna go for it on fourth down all game,” St. Brown said. “That was the plan, but I didn’t know we were gonna go for it at the end there. It kind of surprised me, too. But like I said, we’re used to it now. If he says go for it, we’re all in.”
Historic Season for the Lions
With the win, Detroit secured a 12-win season for just the third time in franchise history, joining the 1991 and 2023 squads. The Lions have also dominated their recent matchups with Green Bay, winning six of their last seven games against their NFC North rivals.
But Campbell isn’t taking anything for granted. “Our division is damn good,” he said. “I mean it’s really good. It’s the best division in football in my opinion. We’ve got top-tier talent, we’ve got top-tier coaching and players and the whole deal. The competition is really elite. So I think that’s just another reason why you’ve got to do whatever it takes to win this division, because if you do and you’re able to play at home, it’s gonna go a long way with the teams that we have.”
Key Takeaways from the Lions’ Victory
- Playoff Bound: The Lions clinched a playoff spot for the second straight season, a first since 1994-95.
- Record-Breaking Streak: Detroit’s 11-game winning streak is the longest in franchise history.
- Fourth-Down Success: The Lions converted four fourth-down attempts, tied for their most in a game over the past 40 seasons.
- Jake Bates’ Clutch Kicking: Bates has now delivered three game-winning field goals this season.
With their aggressive mindset and unwavering confidence, the Lions are proving they’re a force to be reckoned with in the NFC. As the playoffs approach, one thing is clear: Dan Campbell and his team are ready to bet on themselves, no matter the stakes.
Originally Written by: Eric Woodyard
