In what turned out to be a pivotal moment during the Detroit Lions' 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills, head coach Dan Campbell made a controversial decision to attempt an onside kick early in the fourth quarter. The Lions had just scored to make it 38-28 with 12 minutes left, and Campbell chose to go for the unexpected onside kick, a decision that would ultimately backfire.
The Onside Kick Attempt
The kick was recovered by the Bills and returned all the way to the Lions' 5-yard line. One play later, the Bills were up by 17 points again, extending their lead and putting the Lions in a deeper hole. With the game on the line, Campbell was asked to explain his decision to go for the onside kick.
“I just thought we’d get the possession. I thought we were going to get that ball,” Campbell said. “It was one of (Jake) 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 (Bills WR Mack) Hollins made a heck of a play on it. And, you know, obviously, now sitting here hindsight after them taking it down to the 3-yard line, yeah, I wish I wouldn’t have done that, but is what it is.”
A Turning Point in the Game
Campbell's response shows that, in the heat of the moment, he believed it was a calculated risk worth taking. However, as the game unfolded and the Bills capitalized on the short field, the decision became a turning point in the Lions' efforts to mount a comeback.
Just minutes after the failed onside kick, the Lions would manage to cut the deficit back to 10 points, and following another touchdown, they opted for a normal kickoff. The Bills then proceeded to take six of the remaining eight minutes off the clock and added a field goal, effectively sealing the win. Despite a last-ditch effort, the Lions didn’t have enough time to erase the 13-point deficit, ultimately falling short.
Bottom Line: Dan Campbell Is Who He Is
While the onside kick decision certainly stands out as a controversial moment, Campbell’s explanation shows that it was a gamble made with the hope of quickly regaining possession and shifting the momentum.
With the Lions still sitting at 12-2 on the season, the team will look to learn from this loss and stay focused on the final stretch of the regular season as they push for the playoffs. The loss to the Bills was disappointing, but it doesn't overshadow the strides the Lions have made under Campbell this season. As Detroit continues to control its playoff destiny, the team will have to adjust and move forward, with Campbell undoubtedly weighing every decision carefully in the weeks to come.
