Thank you for coaching!

Since we often criticize NFL coaches for turtling around here, let the record show that Lions coach Dan Campbell:

1)Unhesitatingly went for it on 4th down rather than settling for a field goal on what turned out to be the winning touchdown drive

2)On the last drive of the game, he called a clever pass play after a holding penalty rather than just settle for a long FG, which the Lions then beautifully executed:

THIS PLAY CALL 😱

📺: #DETvsGB on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/9hDtJVDM1m pic.twitter.com/dXYop9Lsy8— NFL (@NFL) January 9, 2023

3)And then not only went for it to end the game rather than give Aaron Rodgers a chance to drive for the tie, but called a high-percentage pass play rather than just running into the line:

Boom.#DETvsGB 📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/1QRGaO2llk— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 9, 2023

A lot of coaches who talk a tough game turn absolutely chickenshit when it comes to strategic calls (we might call this “Rex Ryan syndrome.”) Campbell would appear to be the real deal, and the Lions are going somewhere. And frankly, I’m more excited that they eliminated the Packers than that they non-eliminated the Seahawks. Another week for Aaron Rodgers to Do His Own Research!

…the power of negative polarization:

“We don’t want them to go, so that’s our motivation.”

Dan Campbell is not about to let the Packers get into the playoffs. #OnePride #GoPackGo #DETvsGB on NBC and @peacock. pic.twitter.com/nQ9oTwilvf— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 9, 2023

…as multiple commenters have noted, Campbell also gets kudos for declining an intentional offside Green Bay did in order to stop the clock on the final drive. He had a great game.