NFL: Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals
Oct 11, 2026; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell looks on during warmups before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Dan Campbell goes for it on fourth down more than any other coach in the NFL. Anyone who has seen a few Detroit Lions games over the past several years understands this. It shouldn’t be surprising when he goes against the almighty chart and keeps his offense on the field.
His intense aggressiveness works out fairly regularly and is a major factor in why the Lions have been in contention for the past few seasons. When his fourth-down gambles don’t work out then they look particularly bad.
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Campbell may have authored his most gutsy call yet on Sunday with Detroit and Green Bay knotted at 17-17 and 4:53 remaining in regulation. On fourth and one from his own 24-yard line, Campbell kept his offense on the field. The Packers appeared to have victory within their grasp when they stuffed Jahmyr Gibbs and assumed possession already in go-ahead field goal range.
Campbell’s late call
Yet things worked out for the Lions thanks to a deflected field goal. Jared Goff then assumed control and marched his team down the field for a game-winning kick by Jake Bates as time expired to give the home team a 20-17 win.
So Campbell’s risk didn’t hurt his team at all. The net-net was gaining two yards of field possession.
Still, that didn’t stop him from getting roasted all over the internet for thinking outside of the box.
One prominent voice that did have his back was NBC Sports analyst Mike Tomlin. The former Pittsburgh Steelers coach broke down why the unconventional move made sense in the moment.
“It centers around elite quarterback play,” Tomlin said. “When you got elite quarterback play, and particularly when you’re playing elite quarterback play, you want to make sure your guy at least has a chance to have the ball at the end of the game. And that’s what that decision appeared to be about for me. If he punts that ball the way Jordan Love and company has been operating, it’s not possible, it’s probable that they’re gonna matriculate the ball down the field and win the game. And so what he did by going for it, he was either gonna be successful and keep the ball for his quarterback, or he was at least gonna give his quarterback an opportunity to answer.”
Here’s what people miss. The one thing Campbell was looking to avoid was a situation where he willingly gave the ball away and didn’t get it back. Which is very realistic with so little time left in the game. Give Green Bay 70 yards to work with and they can collect a few first downs and control things down to the final whistle. Campbell would clearly rather have his elite offense on the field, even if its playing from behind, when it matters most.
It’s actually not that crazy. And Tomlin backing up him should move the conversation in a different direction.