ALLEN PARK — No head coach has gone for more fourth downs since Dan Campbell took over in Detroit. No one’s fake more punts either. Just two series into a prime-time opener against the defending champs — and in the most hostile environment in professional football — they faked another punt just 17 yards from their own end zone.
On Sunday, they were in position for a go-ahead field goal with about 90 seconds left. They went for the fourth-and-2 instead, which at this point surprised no one. Campbell is arguably (and perhaps quantifiably) the most aggressive head coach in the NFL, and if you think it has taken a toll on you, well, just imagine being his family.
“Here’s what I would say, because I tell my family this,” Campbell said on Tuesday during an interview with 97.1 FM. “Just wear a diaper before some of these games. I’ll give them an alert and say, ‘Put them on and be ready to roll.’”
Campbell has never shied from his aggressive nature. In the early weeks of his reign in Detroit, he told MLive he not only wouldn’t take his foot off the throat of his opponents, but he wanted them to know he wouldn’t, too.
In his first season as a head coach, Campbell immediately set the NFL record for fourth-down attempts (41). He was obviously trying to steal possessions for a bad roster, but even as the personnel improved last season, he went for it nearly as many times (37). He also promoted a playcaller along the way that reflected his aggressive vision. Ben Johnson once called a third-down pass for 335-pound offensive tackle Penei Sewell late against a division leader. In crunch time of last year’s finale, he called a hook-and-ladder that wound up putting the final nail in Aaron Rodgers’ Packers career.
This year, it has been more of the same. Campbell set the tone by faking that punt deep in his own territory against Kansas City — a decision that led to Detroit’s first points of the season, and ultimately a one-point win. The Chiefs have still lost only one game since that night.
On Sunday, Campbell was matched up against another one of the league’s most aggressive head coaches, and wound up keeping his offense on the field for five fourth downs. They converted four of them, one of which Jahmyr Gibbs pounded into the end zone for a touchdown, another of which Jared Goff found Sam LaPorta for a 6-yard pass that put the final nail in the Chargers’ coffin. Riley Patterson kicked a game-winning field goal with zeroes on the clock, and the Lions had a 41-38 victory.
“He’s got big (you-know-what),” Goff said, “and he showed it there.”
There’s no doubt about that. The (you-know-what) mindset has now become part of the culture of this team, and Goff said he would have been surprised if Campbell hadn’t gone for that fourth-and-2. It might be tough to watch, but it’s helped steal possessions — and in Sunday’s case, a win. Now the Lions are 7-2 and have a 1.5-game lead in the NFC North heading into a homestand against divisional rivals Chicago and Green Bay.
Just remember to pack the appropriate undergarments when tuning in next week.