In the Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions suffered a surprising loss, and one pivotal decision may have influenced the outcome.
During the third quarter, trailing the Packers 23-14, the Lions attempted a fake punt from their own 22-yard line.
The Packers were prepared for the fake, successfully stopping it and setting themselves up for another touchdown.
After the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell took responsibility for the failed fake punt, admitting it was a bad call on his part.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, on a direct snap as the personal protector, was stopped for no gain, leading to a Packers touchdown three plays later.
Campbell acknowledged the mistake, stating, “Yeah, look, that’s a bad call on me. That’s a bad call. I shouldn’t have done that to those guys. That’s a bad call.”
Facing a fourth-and-4 from their own 23-yard line, the Lions ran the fake with 5:32 left in the third quarter.
Despite a similar conversion in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, this attempt backfired.
The Packers’ defense held firm, and they scored a touchdown on the ensuing possession.
Despite the unsuccessful play, Campbell’s aggressive coaching style has often paid off, stealing possessions and critical points in previous games.
While the Thanksgiving fake punt did not work out, players expressed their trust in Campbell’s decisions, emphasizing the team’s culture of aggressiveness.
Quarterback Jared Goff noted: