With his all-out coaching approach, which included going for it in almost every pivotal fourth-down scenario the Detroit Lions saw in 2023, Dan Campbell left quite an impression. That way of thinking went much beyond a calculated play depending on where the Lions were in the match. It all came down to developing a dominant mindset that would convince the squad that scoring three points on a possession rather than seven was not a cause for celebration or even satisfaction.
For the most part of the season, the Lions were successful with this strategy. For the first time since 1993, the team earned a division championship when they easily claimed the NFC North crown. In addition, the Lions defeated the 49ers in the NFC title game and won two playoff games.
Campbell suffered from an all-or-nothing, go-for-it mentality during the championship game. In the future, maybe, Campbell may at least think about settling for three at crucial times.
He should undoubtedly take something away from the defeat in the final game. Campbell’s squad won’t win every game unless it is a dynasty like the Steelers in the 1970s or the Bears in 1985. They are not going to lose handily to their rival on a weekly basis.
Effective coaching in the NFL extends beyond sheer aggression against the opponent—an insight that championship-level coaches have always understood. In the case of Campbell, it becomes imperative to incorporate strategic decisions like field goals or punts into his coaching philosophy. During a critical juncture in the game, with the Lions trailing 27-24 in the fourth quarter and positioned at the Niner 30 on a fourth-and-three play, a tactical approach could have been opting for a field goal to tie the score. However, instead of choosing this prudent strategy, Campbell had Jared Goff attempt a deep pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown, resulting in an incomplete pass.
This decision not only failed to level the score but also deflated the Lions, allowing San Francisco to extend their lead to 10 points in the subsequent possession. Consequently, this left the visitors in a precarious and almost insurmountable position.
While aggressive plays may be suitable in midseason games against opponents with losing records, employing such a strategy against an elite opponent during a pivotal moment in the season proves to be a questionable choice. The importance of adapting one’s approach based on the context and the caliber of the opponent becomes evident in high-stakes situations. Campbell’s decision to forego a potentially game-tying field goal in favor of a riskier deep pass ultimately had significant repercussions, emphasizing the need for a balanced and strategic approach in crucial moments, especially against formidable adversaries.