The Detroit Lions may have lost their Week 2 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but instead of shifting blame or creating drama, head coach Dan Campbell took full responsibility for the defeat.
As the first half drew to a close, Jared Goff completed a pass to keep the clock moving. With no timeouts remaining, the Lions’ field goal unit prepared to take the field.
However, when Goff attempted to spike the ball to stop the clock, too many players were on the field, resulting in a penalty.This mistake led to a five-yard penalty and a 10-second runoff, which ended the half prematurely.
The Lions could not capitalize on their 10-play drive that had positioned them for a score, leaving them trailing 13-9 at halftime.
This critical moment would ultimately haunt the Lions.They lost the game by four points, 20 to 16.
Had they not incurred that penalty before halftime, and assuming the field goal had been successful, they would have only trailed by one point at the end.
This situation could have allowed them to kick a field goal to take the lead and potentially start the season 2-0.While many head coaches might point fingers at players for such disorganization, Campbell took a different approach.
He accepted the blame for the error and expressed regret after the game.
A former NFL offensive lineman made an interesting observation on social media after Washington’s head coach Jedd Fisch criticized his players for poor execution on a fourth-and-goal attempt.
Campbell, in contrast, would never publicly blame his players, a quality that contributes to his reputation as a great head coach.This isn’t the first time Campbell has accepted responsibility for a loss.
He faced significant criticism for opting to go for it on fourth down during the NFC Championship Game instead of attempting a field goal.
The Lions were unsuccessful, making that decision the focal point of discussions the following day. Campbell was visibly emotional when reflecting on that choice.
Watching other coaches in various sports assign blame to their players—like the current situation with Brian Callahan and Will Levis in Tennessee—should make Lions fans appreciate Dan Campbell even more.
His approach fosters a supportive environment and reinforces the bond between him and his team, highlighting why he is well-regarded among players and fans alike.
