You saw it. I saw it. We all saw it … The Detroit Lions got absolutely screwed last Saturday night in Dallas thanks to one of the worst officiating blunders in NFL history.
100 percent everyone checked in with the ref so they could make that play. The Cowboys once again get lucky and the Lions get cheated out of the win by the rigged NFL refs pic.twitter.com/I5N4x2dbhA
— Jake Who Tweets (@Jake_Who_Tweets) December 31, 2023
Getting past that, another controversy unfolded when Lions head coach Dan Campbell decided to still go for two after the penalty yardage.
An extra point would have (most likely) sent the game to overtime, where Detroit would have a strong chance to win, especially since they had proven to be the better team throughout the game.
However, the always-aggressive Campbell decided that he was going for the win … It was a decision that many disagreed with.
In a fiery radio appearance on 97.1 The Ticket, Campbell defended his controversial decision … The move, criticized as a “lunatic decision” by host Jim Costa, sparked a heated exchange between Campbell and the radio personality.
“I told our offense we were going for the win. ‘We’re going to go down, we’re going to score and we’re going for two, and I wasn’t coming off of that,” Campbell told Costa.
He noted that he would have kicked if the Lions had been moved outside of the 10-yard-line, but “we work inside the 10 every week, good on good, O vs D.”
“I think from the 7 it’s a low-percentage play,” said Costa. “I think your chances of winning are lower than if you kick the extra point.”
Sniffing a challenge, Campbell began to take off the gloves…
“No, say it like you would say it to anybody else. I’m on the radio, say it like you want to say it,” Campbell said.
“I thought it was a reckless decision,” responded Costa.
“Thank you!” said Campbell, who reiterated that he did not regret going for two.
Volume up.
Dan Campbell is as real as it gets.
Via @971theticketxyt pic.twitter.com/rVqowExcN6
— Champagne Athletics (@champletics) January 2, 2024
Campbell is as authentic as any coach in the NFL, perhaps all of sports.
You may disagree with his strategy at times, but you have to love his raw passion and emotion.
His team sure does.
"Would you be frustrated right now? … I don't like losing … That bothers me."
– Dan Campbell before ending his press conference pic.twitter.com/zva9y8nNBc
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 31, 2023
It was a crushing loss for Detroit, especially when you consider playoff seeding and potential postseason matchups.
As Campbell said after the game, he hopes the Lions have a shot at a rematch with the Cowboys in a few weeks.
A Detroit Lions Fan Already Put Up A Billboard Complaining About Last Week's Controversial Loss To The Cowboys https://t.co/PJCRVRuMBz pic.twitter.com/wYT2gWZj3I
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 3, 2024
What is your take on the controversial ending in Dallas?
Should Campbell have kicked the extra point? Or do you like the fact they went for the win, despite being backed up?
In the big picture, what do you think of the Lions chances in the playoffs???