Dan Campbell had no idea that Lions clinched a playoff spot after win over Packers
Lions coach Dan Campbell ignores playoff math, focusing solely on winning each game.
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Dan Campbell (Image via ESPN/X)
The Detroit Lions only needed one win in their remaining games to seal a place in the playoffs. Dan Campbell doesn’t care about such details even though it’s what most teams play for in the regular season. He prefers to win the game right in front of him and then the next and the one after.
When Campbell faced the media on Thursday after the Lions 31-34 nail-biter against NFC North rivals the Green Bay Packers, the reporters asked the 48-year-old about how it felt to reach the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 1995, Campbell revealed he had no clue.
Yeah, listen, it’s great. We’re in the playoffs. I wish I had told the team. I didn’t even tell them. I had no idea.
Dan Campbell said as the reporters laughed
Even though he didn’t tell his team about the playoff scenario, the players are bound to have some knowledge about it. The Lions established themselves as ‘the team’ in the NFC with a 12-1 record after beating the Packers.
We know what we wanna do and we talked about this, really even after last year, even after spring and after training camp, we know what our goals are.
Dan Campbell said
"Yeah listen, it's great. We're in the playoffs. I wish I had told the team. I didn't even tell them. I had no idea."
— NFL on CBS ? (@NFLonCBS) December 6, 2024
— Head coach Dan Campbell on the @Lions clinching a spot in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/JZeK4YZQ0r
Dan Campbell on why he chose to run the ball on fourth down with forty seconds left
There have been copious numbers of garbage time heroics over the years. Fans witnessed another one on Thursday. Instead of kicking a field goal, Campbell allowed David Montgomery to run the ball, who secured a crucial first, setting up a favorable field goal spot. Jake Bates scored from 35 yards to win the game for the Lions.
One of the reporters asked Campbell the reason behind such a desperate move when it was easier to kick a field goal. The former NFL tight end claimed he wanted to end the game on an offensive note.
I just felt like we needed to end it on offense…I did not want to give that ball back, I believed we can get that and I believed we can convert and I trusted the O-line and I trusted David [Montgomery] and since they came through it was one hell of a call from Ben [Johnson offensive coordinator].
Dan Campbell said
"I just felt like we needed to end it on offense…I did not want to give that ball back."
— NFL on CBS ? (@NFLonCBS) December 6, 2024
— @Lions head coach Dan Campbell on going for it on 4th and inches with 43 seconds left pic.twitter.com/JEDjf8MNrn
It’s ironic because back in January a bad fourth-down call cost the Lions the NFC Championship game. Campbell claimed that it was one and done for the Lions because there was no guarantee that they would make it back to the playoffs once again. Dan Campbell proved himself wrong.
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Ishan Misra
(3023 Articles Published)