The Detroit Lions improved to 12-1 on the season with a thrilling 34-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, marking the game of the year.

With the win, the Lions matched a franchise record by securing their 11th consecutive victory.

They also became the first team in the NFL to clinch a playoff spot this season. However, the win did not come easily.

There were four lead changes in the second half alone, as Packers running back Josh Jacobs continued to dominate, scoring three touchdowns.

Yet, Lions head coach Dan Campbell’s bold decisions were pivotal. Campbell repeatedly went for it on fourth down, with Detroit scoring two touchdowns on fourth-down plays during the game.

The game’s final moments hinged on another crucial fourth down.

With the score tied at 31 and only 43 seconds left, the Lions faced a 4th-and-1 at the Packers’ 21-yard line. Conventional wisdom suggests kicking the field goal to take the lead and rely on defense. However, Campbell chose to take a gamble and went for it instead.

“From now on, don’t even mention fourth downs,” a fan from Section 344 posted.

“Two touchdowns on fourth down and a critical fourth-down conversion to win the game and prevent them from getting the ball back.

Dan Campbell is the best coach in the NFL. He has built a remarkable identity and culture, and he coaches to it.”

It’s clear that the Lions have fully embraced their head coach’s mindset.

Dan Campbell embodies the city of Detroit and its people, and the synergy between coach and team has created a powerful, fearless identity. With such talent and confidence, the rest of the NFL should be on notice. The Detroit Lions of today are far removed from the team of years past.

Kendall Capps is a sports-obsessed multimedia journalist and senior editor at ClutchPoints.

He previously managed SB Nation’s golf vertical, contributed to FantasyPros, and co-hosted the Lay The Points podcast.