Andrew Buller-Russ
Thursday was a tradition like no other in many ways. For one, the Detroit Lions were in action on Thanksgiving. Yet, despite Dan Campbell’s team performing as one of the NFC’s best over the first half of the season, the Green Bay Packers presented a much different challenge in today’s 29-22 win over the Lions.
The Packers got off to a hot start, leading the Lions 20-6 after the first quarter. At that point, it appeared Green Bay was set to cruise to an easy victory, but Detroit did what it has done all year under Dan Campbell. The Lions rallied.
Not only did the Lions hold the Packers to just nine points for the rest of the game, they also rallied back, and ultimately made it a one-possession game, leaving the outcome up to an onside kick with time winding out.
However, the Lions might have been able to make the game even more interesting had they not failed on a key 4th-and-5 with 5:32 remaining in the third quarter.
Dan Campbell’s decision backfires
After going just 20 yards in five plays, the Lions found themselves on fourth down, at their own 23-yard-line, and let’s just say it didn’t go well for the home team. The Lions tried a direct snap to special teams linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, but his attempt to get out on the edge didn’t go well, with multiple Packers defenders in his path, stopping the Lions for no gain.
Taking over at the 23-yard line, Packers QB Jordan Love, who was in the midst of arguably one of his best games as a pro yet, promptly led the team on a three-play, 23-yard scoring drive. The Packers then went for a two-point conversion and failed.
Still, with the Lions losing by just seven points, it’s hard not to point to the interesting decision by Coach Campbell to risk it for the biscuit instead of punting on fourth down.
Related: San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy should be the NFL MVP favorite
