Ex-NFLer Calls Out Dan Campbell’s Mistrust in Lions’ Defense After HC Admitted Regret at Failed Onside Kick vs Bills

The highly anticipated week 15 game between the Lions and the Bills ended in the Bisons’ favor. After winning the game 48-42, the visitors snapped the home team’s 11-game undefeated streak. It was an intense game at Ford Field, but the Bills were in attacking mode from the kickoff. They took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, which they extended to 21-14 by halftime. When the 3rd quarter ended, the Bills were up by 35-21. But the home team lost despite scoring 21 points in the 4th quarter. However, there were some issues with Dan Campbell’s tactics.

After the game, two-time Super Bowl champion Bryant McFadden appeared in the NFL on CBS show with Tony Romo. When asked about Jake Bates’s onside kick at the 12-minute mark in the 4th quarter, he called out the Lions HC and said, “I’m trying to figure it out as well because to your point, it’s basically a full quarter left to be played in the fourth quarter, right? You just scored a significant touchdown. You’re down ten points. The momentum is kind of starting to shift in your favor. Kick the ball deep. Play defense. Now I can hear some fans saying well he didn’t trust his defense. Well, if you didn’t trust your defense at that moment, it’s safe to say you shouldn’t trust them at all.” He’s right there.

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs had just scored a touchdown at 12:09 mark in the 4th quarter on a 12-yard pass from Jared Goff. While the scores read 38-28 in the Bills’ favor, there was no need to panic. And they had the O-line which could have covered the deficit. But the problem was defense. The Bills were dominant. And their WR Mack Hollins recovered the Bates kick and returned it at the Lions’ 5-yard line. The Bills scored the touchdown to make the score 45-28, leaving Dan Campbell shocked.

McFadden, too, included it in his rant and added, “Because if you don’t believe your defense can get a necessary stop, then you believe more so about kicking an onside kick. And the likelihood of you getting an onside kick is not likely. Play defense. Play. Find a way to get a stop.” That’s one area in which they need to work now. The Bills toppled them with their rushing game, recording 197 yards compared to the Lions’ 48. It was unexpected.

Just last game, the Lions won against the Packers 34-31. The HC was on Cloud 9. This time; it was a totally different scenario.

Dan Campbell admits his mistake in the loss against the Bills

During the post-game conference, the Lions HC didn’t hesitate to accept his failure and said, “I just thought we’d get the possession. I thought we were going to get that ball. It was one of Bates’ best kicks that I’ve seen him have. That was a big kicker at the end, you know, that thing took a good jump on us and Hollins made a heck of a play on it. And, you know, obviously, now sitting here hindsight after them taking it down to the 3-yard line, yeah, I wish I wouldn’t have done that. But it is what it is.” He can’t do anything about it now. Only a lesson he could carry. The fans didn’t expect such a mistake but would be fine if he didn’t repeat it.

Dan Campbell has more pressing issues in the defense now. Their two cornerbacks, Khalil Dorsey (ankle at 1:53 in 2nd quarter) and Carlton Davis (jaw at 13:36 in 2nd quarter) got injured. Alim McNeillthe defensive tackle, also injured his knee at 7:36 in the 3rd quarter and left the game. That’s problematic, considering they have qualified for the playoffs.

During the post-game conference, the HC claimed he didn’t feel good about Davis and McNeill. But the franchise is waiting for the injury status. They would not want to get stuck over the loss. It’s high time to see ahead about the important postseason.