Lions head coach Dan Campbell is known for his aggressive coaching style and willingness to take bold risks, but one decision during Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills is one he wishes he could take back.
With 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Lions had just cut the Bills’ lead to 38-28 following a touchdown run by Jahmyr Gibbs. Rather than opting for a traditional kickoff to pin the Bills deep in their own territory, Campbell called for an onside kick to try and regain possession and keep the momentum alive.
The gamble didn’t pay off. Lions kicker Jake Bates executed the onside attempt with precision, but Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins was able to recover the ball and return it all the way to Detroit’s 5-yard line. Buffalo wasted no time capitalizing on the favorable field position, scoring on the very next play. That touchdown widened the gap to 45-28 and ultimately helped seal the Bills’ eventual 48-42 victory.
After the game, Bills head coach Sean McDermott admitted the move caught him off guard, though he was pleased with the result. “I wasn’t sure what Campbell was thinking there, but it paid off for us,” McDermott said.
For Campbell, the decision is one that, in retrospect, he regrets. “Obviously, now sitting here in hindsight, after them taking it down to the [five]-yard line, yeah, I wish I wouldn’t have done that,” Campbell explained, as reported by Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News. “But it is what it is.”
Campbell’s decision wasn’t completely unjustified. The Lions were in a position where they needed a spark, and recovering an onside kick could have given them a significant chance to make a comeback. However, the risk backfired, and Buffalo’s immediate response further tilted the game in their favor.
Critics of the decision argue that a more conventional approach—kicking deep and forcing the Bills to drive the length of the field—would have given Detroit’s defense a chance to get the ball back and provide their offense with more opportunities.
The loss was undoubtedly disappointing, but it also highlights the fine line coaches must walk between calculated risk-taking and overly aggressive play-calling. Campbell has built his coaching philosophy around instilling confidence and a fearless mindset in his team, and his decisions often reflect that.
While some of his gambles have paid off in the past, this particular call serves as a reminder that high-risk plays come with equally high consequences.
It’s impossible to know how the game would have unfolded had Campbell chosen to kick deep instead. With the Lions’ offense showing signs of life late in the game, a defensive stop might have provided the opening they needed to mount a comeback.
Moving forward, Campbell will likely evaluate similar situations with an eye toward balancing his aggressive tendencies with game management. If faced with a similar scenario in the future, Campbell may opt for a safer approach.
Despite the outcome, Campbell’s leadership style remains unchanged: bold and unapologetic. While Sunday’s decision may not have worked out, his willingness to take risks is part of what makes him a unique and well-respected coach in the NFL.
