The Detroit Lions have been outstanding throughout this season, but as the NFL playoffs get closer, they have some reasons to be concerned as far as their chances of winning their first Super Bowl championship.
Injuries are starting to pile up, especially on defense, and that unit has faltered lately by giving up a total of 79 points in the past two weeks, including 48 points in a Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
But the other concern is the decision-making of head coach Dan Campbell, something that was a problem against the Bills.
With the Lions trailing by 10 points early in the fourth quarter following a touchdown by Jahmyr Gibbs, Campbell elected to go for an onside kick, which the Bills recovered, and it quickly led to a touchdown by Buffalo.
Analyst Jason Smith said that the head coach’s aggressive nature is the real danger for Detroit come playoff time.
“You gotta worry about ‘Campbelling,’ because Dan Campbell is gonna make the wrong decision at the wrong time because of his hubris or emotion and it’s gonna kill the Lions at the absolute worst time,” Smith said, via FOX Sports Radio.
?️@howaboutafresca: "The thing for the Lions you gotta worry about is 'Campbelling' because Dan Campbell is gonna make the wrong decision, and it's gonna kill the Lions at the worst time."
?️@SwollenDome: "They're gonna end up getting bullied, so it's not gonna matter." pic.twitter.com/maLe8bx4Bi
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) December 17, 2024
The Lions had been laughingstocks going back many years, but they started to turn things around when they finished the 2022 season with eight wins in their last 10 games.
Last season, they were 12-5, and had it not been for multiple ill-advised decisions to go for it on fourth down, they may have defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.
This season, pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson has been out for a while with a fractured leg, but now several more defensive linemen, including Alim McNeill, are out long-term.
Unfortunately, Lions fans may have to wait a little longer for that elusive Vince Lombardi Trophy.
NEXT: Aidan Hutchinson Makes Big Announcement About Potential Return
