NFL: New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions
Sep 13, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell on the sidelines against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The NFL has put Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell under increasing scrutiny after another questionable decision contributed to a disappointing loss on Sunday night.
We aren’t talking about this enough. What the hell was Dan thinking about going on a 4th-and-20 😭😭? https://t.co/a7BtbRhwcw
— Tyler Sawa (@tyler_sawa) October 5, 2026
With seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers, Campbell elected to go for it on fourth-and-20. The decision backfired, as Detroit failed to convert and ultimately fell 32-26 to Carolina.
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Fourth-and-20 decision draws criticism
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) looks on after missing a pass intended for him against Carolina Panthers during the second half at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
The decision was made even more puzzling by the play call itself. Rather than giving the Lions a realistic chance to pick up the necessary yardage, the offense threw the ball several yards short of the first-down marker.
Jahmyr Gibbs caught the pass but was left with too much ground to cover after the reception. The fourth-down attempt failed, and the Panthers eventually held on for the victory.
It was another example of the aggressive decision-making that has become synonymous with Campbell during his time in Detroit. While that mentality has helped the Lions succeed in the past, the latest gamble left plenty of questions about whether the risk was worth the potential reward.
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Defensive problems add to pressure
Campbell is also facing growing pressure to make a change at defensive coordinator. Kelvin Sheppard currently holds the position, but the Lions’ defensive struggles have led many to call for his firing.
When Campbell was asked about Sheppard’s status following Sunday’s loss, he declined to provide much clarity.
“I’m not talking about that,” Campbell said. “I’m always going to do what’s right by this team.”
The defense certainly has plenty to fix. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young threw for more than 300 yards, while Carolina finished with 445 net yards and 32 points.
Through four weeks, Detroit has surrendered more points and more yards than any other team in the NFL this season. Those numbers have put even more pressure on Campbell and his coaching staff to find answers quickly.
The Lions enter Week 5 with a 2-2 record and will look to get back above .500 when they visit the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. With both offensive decisions and defensive performance under the microscope, Campbell will need his team to respond quickly.