Emotional Dan Campbell fights back tears and pains after Lions loss: ‘It’s my fault

Campbell took full responsibility for the loss, admitting the team wasn’t prepared for the crucial game. He also pointed to a key mistake— a penalty for too many players on the field— which allowed the Commanders to extend a drive and ultimately score a decisive touchdown.

Reflecting on the loss, Campbell struggled to articulate his feelings, pointing to a series of unfortunate events, like a sack and turnover early in the game, as part of a “ripple effect” that disrupted their rhythm. “We just didn’t play well,” he said. “I didn’t have them ready. I’ll take the blame for that.”

The pivotal too-many-men penalty came at a crucial moment early in the fourth quarter with the game within reach, allowing the Commanders to score a touchdown and pull away. Campbell didn’t dwell on the specifics but acknowledged the error, calling it his fault. “It’s my fault,” he repeated.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff, clearly emotional himself, praised Campbell’s leadership and how much the coach invests in his players. “He shouldn’t carry all the blame,” Goff said, “but that’s who he is. We feed off his energy and belief