Dan Campbell says he made 1 bad decision in loss to Packers
Aug 28, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches the third quarter action against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers won 19-9. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions suffered a surprising home loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving, and one decision may have been a turning point in the game.
The Lions attempted a fake punt from their own 22-yard line during the third quarter of Thursday’s game while trailing the Packers 23-14. The Packers were prepared for the fake and stuffed it, setting Green Bay up for another touchdown.
Detroit tries the fake punt, but the @packers say "NOT TODAY"
📺: #GBvsDET on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N5H8NbZZUE pic.twitter.com/fdga3rPIOC— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2023
After the game, coach Dan Campbell took full responsibility for the bold call, admitting he “shouldn’t have done that.”
Dan Campbell on the fake punt "That's a bad call on me. Shouldn't have done that."
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) November 23, 2023
The fake punt looks great if it works in that spot, but this one backfired. At the very least, the Lions probably should have given themselves the option to audible out of the fake if the Packers looked prepared for it, which they were.
Campbell is well aware of his reputation for bold decisions in moments like these. Sometimes they work and provide a game-changing moment. On Thursday, things went the other way.