Trailing the Buffalo Bills by 10 points with 12 minutes left in regulation, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell made the surprising decision to attempt an onside kick, bypassing the “playing defense” phase of the game.
The gamble failed as Buffalo’s Mack Hollins secured the ball and brought it near the goal line. Moments later, Buffalo extended their lead to 17 points. While this was not a decisive turning point—the Lions’ defense had already struggled to contain Josh Allen—it remains a hot topic of discussion.
Most commentators have assessed the situation fairly, acknowledging the Lions were in a tough spot regardless. Even if they recovered the kick, Allen likely would have scored again, forcing Detroit to attempt another onside kick. However, Emmanuel Acho has delivered a scathing critique of Campbell’s bold decision-making.
“What Dan Campbell is doing is just asinine,” Acho declared on FS1’s The Facility. “It’s crazy, reckless, and disrespectful. It’s no longer aggressive.”
The argument that Campbell’s aggression is disrespectful could only make sense if Acho believes it undermines Detroit’s defense. Yet, the Lions’ defense—on the field Sunday—likely understood the uphill battle better than anyone else.
Acho also argued that if Detroit had kicked the ball deep and limited Buffalo to a field goal, they could have gotten the ball back down 13 points, still within reach. While he has a point, this logic may also justify Campbell’s decision.
With time running out, Detroit’s opponent wasn’t just the Bills—it was the clock. Recovering the onside kick could have shortened Buffalo’s possession and saved critical time. Even without success, the Bills’ shorter drive might have allowed Detroit to regain the ball more quickly.
Additionally, kicking deep and forcing Buffalo into longer drives could have positioned Detroit for better field advantage if they managed to hold the Bills. With 10 minutes left and a 10-point deficit, a coach might try to trade giving up two field goals for scoring two touchdowns and forcing overtime—an improbable but not impossible scenario.
Ultimately, the Lions’ loss had little to do with Campbell’s choices. The real issue was Josh Allen’s dominance. Keeping the ball out of his hands was the only reliable strategy, though far easier said than done.
Eleven consecutive wins may not earn the respect it once did, especially with mounting injuries forcing Campbell into more daring decisions. But one thing is certain—Campbell will stick to his bold approach, win or lose.
