Dan Campbell explains why he sees Lions’ 2-point fiasco as a ‘blessing’
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell on the field before action against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2021, at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirthmon F. Dozier/USA TODAY NETWORK
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell is looking for the silver lining from the ending of Saturday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Campbell said he views the controversial two-point conversion and ensuing penalty as a “blessing” because the Lions can learn lessons from it. He even went as far as to say that it was reminiscent of the infamous uncalled pass interference penalty that likely cost the New Orleans Saints a victory in the 2018 NFC Championship. Campbell was an assistant coach for that Saints team.
Dan Campbell calls the 2-point fiasco is a blessing.
Compares it to the New Orleans PI playoff thing, but the blessing is that the Lions' season isn't over, and they can learn from it.
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) January 1, 2024
The Lions coach added that he had “controlled fury,” and that the team had no choice but to use the outcome as “fuel” going forward.
Dan Campbell: "I've got controlled fury, and I'm ready to go. I am absolutely ready to go. I don't go the other way. So, the team won't either. We're on a mission, and we're not going to feel sorry for ourselves … We got to use this as fuel. I've got pure octane right now."
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) January 1, 2024
The Lions appeared to have executed a trick play for a potential game-winning two-point conversion against Dallas on Saturday, only to have it wiped out by a penalty under controversial circumstances.
Ultimately, the outcome likely cost the Lions a chance at the No. 2 seed in the NFC, but otherwise fundamentally changed little about their playoff prospects. If they can use it as fuel, it might even end up helping them, and that seems to be what Campbell is trying to make happen.
