The Detroit Lions’ dramatic 34-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night will be remembered for its tense conclusion, but the pivotal fourth-down call stands out as a testament to the team’s unshakable confidence in one another. With the game tied and less than a minute remaining, the Lions faced a crucial fourth-and-1 at the Packers’ 21-yard line. Instead of opting for a safer field goal, which would have left the Packers time to respond, head coach Dan Campbell made a bold call to go for it.
This decision proved to be a game-defining moment, as it allowed the Lions to drain the clock and ultimately kick the game-winning field goal with no time left. What many didn’t know at the time was that this daring choice wasn’t solely Campbell’s—it was quarterback Jared Goff who played a pivotal role in persuading his coach to go for it.
Jared Goff’s Role in the Decision
On a recent episode of his podcast, Richard Sherman provided insight into how the decision to go for it on fourth down came to be. Sherman revealed that Goff had a significant influence in changing Campbell’s mind.
Sherman shared that Campbell initially signaled to Goff that he planned to kick the field goal. “Jared basically comes over, and Dan’s on the headset telling him, ‘Hey, we’re kicking it. Get the field goal team ready, we’re gonna talk it through but we’re gonna kick it.’ And Jared, disappointed, says, ‘Man, I wanted to go,’” Sherman recalled, according to Sports Illustrated.
At that moment, Campbell, trusting his quarterback and the offense, decided to make the audacious choice. “Dan Campbell just looks at him and says, ‘You want to do it? F it, we’re going for it,’” Sherman continued. The decision was made in the heat of the moment, demonstrating Campbell’s complete faith in Goff and the offense’s ability to execute.
Trusting Instincts and the Team
Sherman went on to emphasize how crucial trust was in that critical moment. “He trusts his men, he trusts his team, he trusts his offensive line that they’re gonna get it done for him,” Sherman said. “Some may question if that’s the right approach, but in this case, yeah, that’s exactly how it should go. You can rely on analytics all day, but at the end of the day, do you trust your guys?”
For Campbell, the decision to go for it wasn’t about statistics or probabilities—it was about instinct and faith in his quarterback. “If your quarterback believes they can make it happen, you have to trust him and what he’s seeing,” Sherman explained. “It’s a gut feeling, and that’s why this team is willing to go through anything for Dan Campbell. He believes in them the same way they believe in him.”
The Impact of Belief: The Lions’ Unique Culture
This moment underscored what makes the Lions special under Dan Campbell’s leadership: the deep mutual trust between the coach and his players. While many teams might hesitate in such a high-pressure situation, Campbell’s unwavering confidence in Goff and the offensive line created an environment where the players felt empowered. His ability to listen to his players and make decisions based on trust, not just data, has fostered a unique bond within the team.
The Lions’ offense responded by successfully converting the fourth down and running out the clock to set up the game-winning field goal. It wasn’t just about executing a play—it was about the belief in one another and the ability to deliver when it mattered most.
A Defining Moment for Campbell and the Lions
This moment encapsulated what Dan Campbell has instilled in the Lions: a culture built on mutual respect and belief between the coach and his players. Campbell’s readiness to trust his quarterback, combined with Goff’s confidence in his teammates, showed that this Lions team is prepared for the challenges of the postseason.
The Lions are not just a talented team—they are a team united by belief in themselves, their coach, and their ability to make critical plays in pressure-filled situations. With decisions like this, driven by gut instincts and trust, it’s clear why the Lions are emerging as one of the most formidable teams in the NFL.
As the Lions advance toward the playoffs, moments like these will be remembered as defining milestones for a team that is growing stronger through trust and shared belief. For Jared Goff, Dan Campbell, and the Lions, the path to the Super Bowl now feels more attainable, thanks to their unshakeable trust in each other.
