Dan Campbell Surprisingly Goes For 2 Three Times In A Row To Lose Controversial Game

While the Lions made a spectacular play on their first two-point conversion, which was controversially called back, there is no need to go for it again from the 7 yard line unless you don’t have a kicker available, you need the win badly, or you’re playing for nothing. The Lions were not in any of those situations because they are one of the greatest teams in the NFL and are playing meaningful football as the season comes to a close.

Detroit Lions Lose The Game After Controversial Penalty

The Lions will still make the playoffs and have a chance to go far, but what was going through Dan Campbell’s head when he decided to go for the win three times in a row instead of playing for overtime? I go for it the first time, which is consistent with Campbell’s aggressive play calling, which has led to the Lions playing their greatest football in decades.
But how do you go for it from the 7 yard line after getting that stupid penalty call on a great play call that they had clearly practiced and were ready to deploy in the game? They were lucky with another flag being called and then chose to go for the win for the third time, eventually failing with no flags on the play and losing to Dallas.

In his post-game press conference, Campbell was enraged, saying:

“Would you be frustrated right now?” Campbell said afterward. “I don’t like losing, and that’s what happened. We lost, and that bothers me. I don’t like having an L, so that’s the frustration.”

I couldn’t agree with him more, but why go for two so many times remains a mystery. You can’t have that many plays practiced for two point conversions, and after such an incredible drive, why not play for over time instead?

Quarterback Jared Goff was likewise in another planet following the game, as he stated in his press conference:

“Yeah, that sucks. It’s unfortunate, man,” Goff said. “I don’t know if I’ve had this feeling before where you feel like you’ve won and you didn’t. With that being said, though, the next two plays we had shots at it.”

While the Lions have all of their most important games ahead of them now that they have secured their division, we will see how they recover from such an odd game heading into the postseason.

Here is @WXYZDetroit ground level video of the Taylor Decker two-point conversion.

•Decker and the Lions celebrated for a long time before realizing there was a flag.

•Dan Campbell repeatedly says “I told you!” to referee Brad Allen. pic.twitter.com/WlGXDz21oh

— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 31, 2023