Dan Campbell 4th down decisions: Lions coach lives up to aggressive style en route to win over Packers

If there is one word to describe Dan Campbell”s coaching style, it’s aggressive.

The Lions head coach is anything but conservative when it comes to making gutsy decisions on the gridiron. He’ll go for it on fourth down in any scenario, willingly putting his foot on the gas in order to defeat opponents. 

The difference between Campbell and the other coaches who choose the same path is that, more often than not, it’s the right decision. The group that the fourth-year head coach has in place is a dominant one that knows what needs to be done when Campbell goes all in. 

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That ability was on full display on Thursday night, as the Lions picked up a pivotal 34-31 NFC North victory over the Packers at home on “Thursday Night Football.” Campbell made the valiant decision to pass on a go-ahead field goal with 17 seconds left on the clock, instead running for the first down and letting the clock run to its final seconds before a Jake Bates’ field goal lifted Detroit to the 34-31 win. 

It was a fitting end for an evening full of aggressive decisions by the Detroit boss. With the victory, the Lions clinched a spot in the postseason and moved one step closer to securing an NFC North title for the second consecutive year. 

Just how aggressive was Campbell against Green Bay? Here’s a look at the Packers’ fourth down plays in the “TNF” win. 

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Lions’ 4th down conversions vs. Packers

Detroit went an impressive four-for-five on fourth down plays against Green Bay. Of those four conversions, two were for touchdowns, and the fourth and final one essentially iced the game in favor of the Lions. 

Jahymr Gibbs’ touchdown

The first risky play call by Campbell came at the end of the first half. After the Lions were stuffed three times inside the five-yard line, the head coach remained confident in his offense with 11 seconds on the clock. Detroit called a pass play on 4th-and-1, and QB Jared Goff hit running back Jahmyr Gibbs out of the backfield for the score. 

That helped the Lions take a 10-point lead into the half rather than just six if they settled for a field goal. 

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Tim Patrick touchdown

During a 13-play, 79-yard drive in the third quarter, Campbell twice kept the special teams unit on the sidelines and let the offense go for it on fourth down. Both times, the Lions succeeded.

Detroit got the ball with over 11 minutes left in the quarter after quickly giving up 14 points to the Packers, falling behind 21-17 to begin the second half. Earlier in the drive, the Lions converted on a 4th-and-1 with Goff taking the ball himself to move the chains at their own 49-yard line. 

Once again, the Packers stuffed the Lions inside the 10-yard line, forcing Campbell to make a decision on fourth down. He stayed true to his roots and kept Goff and Co. out there. He was rewarded with a touchdown reception to Tim Patrick, his first of two on the evening. 

Fourth quarter conversion

Arguably the biggest play came with 43 seconds left on the clock. The Lions and Packers were tied at 31, and Detroit had brought the ball into field goal range. With a 4th-and-1 at the Green Bay 21-yard line, Campbell could settle for a field goal and give the Packers a chance to tie the game with roughly 40 seconds on the clock. 

Option B: Campbell could play his style of football, not settling for anything less than a win and putting his confidence in his offense to get the yard. He went with the latter. 

Despite Goff tripping on the snap, running back Davis Montgomery got the necessary yardage to move the chains, keep the clock moving, and put the Lions a Jake Bates’ field goal away from a win. The Detroit kicker nailed the 35-yarder as time expired for the win, rewarding Campbell yet again for his aggression. 

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Dan Campbell 4th down history

Since Campbell has taken over as the head coach, Detroit has gone for it on fourth down 145 times. This leads the NFL, with the Cleveland Browns (133) and Carolina Panthers (123) next on the list.

Of the 145 fourth-down plays, 82 have resulted in a first down and 13 have been for a touchdown. The Lions’ 56-percent conversion rate on fourth down ranks in the top 10 of the best units in the league. 

This season, Detroit has gone for it on fourth down 22 times and converted 15 times. For comparison, the Browns have the most attempts (30) and conversions (20). Detroit’s 68-percent conversion rate ranks as the sixth-best in the league.