It’s not usual to see NFL fans and analysts worried about a team that’s won 12 games and sits atop the NFC.
Even so, that’s exactly what’s happening with the Detroit Lions.
Dan Campbell’s late-game decisions in the win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 14 raised some eyebrows.
He took things up a notch in the loss to the Buffalo Bills, raising even more questions and criticism.
That includes former NFL player James Jones.
Talking on FOX’s “The Facility,” he went as far as to call Campbell’s late-game decision-making “reckless,” and it was hard to disagree with him.
"This is not winning football. This is reckless."@89JonesNTAF is concerned with Dan Campbell's late-game decision-making pic.twitter.com/vsvmk8dMHW
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) December 16, 2024
Campbell attempted an onside kick down ten points with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
He has one of the best offenses in the game, and a two-possession game with that much time left was still within reach, even against the red-hot Josh Allen.
He wound up costing his team another touchdown in a game that eventually ended in a six-point loss.
This is just the regular season, but Campbell’s tendencies remain a major concern.
As much credit as he deserves for his team’s success, he has two elite coordinators and a plethora of talent at his disposal, so it’s not like he’s been a tactical mastermind of any kind.
Coaching can be enjoyable, especially when it goes your way like a game of Madden.
But there are no do-overs in a win-or-go-home situation, and Campbell might want to fight his instincts once the playoffs come.
NEXT: J.J. Watt Rips Dan Campbell's Decision In Sunday's Loss To Bills
