Following their contentious defeat to the Dallas Cowboys, the Detroit Lions aim to recover.
DETROIT, MichiganDan Campbell, the coach of the Detroit Lions, had no desire in overtime on Saturday.
He informed his squad they would score a touchdown and the game-winning 2-point conversion when they grabbed the ball on their final drive against the Dallas Cowboys, behind 20–13. He even knew that Taylor Decker, the tackle, would be the one to catch it.
Following the Lions’ first division triumph in thirty years last weekend, Campbell honored many “old guard” players, including Decker, an Ohio State veteran of eight years. Decker was going to grab the ball now, on the most important play of the game.
The play worked perfectly — Decker faked a block before slipping into the back of the end zone to catch Jared Goff’s 2-point conversion pass and a 21-20 lead — until a penalty was called.
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Not Decker, but Dan Skipper had reported as an eligible receiver, according to referee Brad Allen. The play was called back, and the Cowboys managed to hold on for a crucial 20-19 victory that will determine the NFC’s seeding.
The Lions said that it was not their error in the locker room. Prior to the game, Campbell stated he went over the play with the officiating crew. While Skipper claimed not to report, Decker claimed to have informed Allen.
Decker and Allen were seen on camera chatting, after which Allen addressed the Dallas defense.
“I don’t know if I’ll get fined for this, but I do know that Decker reported,” Goff said. “I do know that Dan Skipper did not, and I do know that they said that Dan Skipper did. It’s unfortunate.”
The Lions have to regain their focus going into the regular-season finale next weekend against Minnesota. They may finish with the No. 3 seed, but beating the Vikings at home will mean not having to host them again in the wild-card round — the third game between the teams in four weeks.
Of course, there’s another possibility — one that is already giving Lions fans sleepless nights. What if the Lions’ first playoff game at Ford Field — their home since 2002 — is against Matthew Stafford? They cheered for Stafford when
Although the Rams gave him his Super Bowl ring, they are opposed to him returning to Detroit to win another postseason game.
What is effective
Decker’s catch was inadmissible, but the offensive line for the Lions had another outstanding performance. Detroit’s running total was 125 yards, and Goff was only ever sacked once. They have already amassed 2,241 running yards and 25 touchdowns this season, and they stand a chance to end up with two 1,000-yard rushers: rookie Jahmyr Gibbs needs 85 yards and David Montgomery needs 25 yards against the Vikings.
WHAT REQUIRES ASSISTANCE
The Lions secondary is a mess. They’ve allowed 756 passing yards against the Vikings and Cowboys, and CeeDee Lamb caught 13 passes for 227 yards, with cornerback Cam Sutton chasing him all over the field. Now they will be facing Justin Jefferson, who just had six catches for 141 yards against them last week.
AVAILABLE STOCK
Prior to the Cowboys game, rookie defensive end Aidan Hutchinson had only two sacks in his previous ten games. However, he recorded three sacks, four tackles for loss, and five quarterback hits while playing in Dallas. In addition, he was called for tripping, which prevented the Cowboys from wasting time.
LOW STOCK
Goff is a precise passer who hardly turns the ball over when he is performing at his peak. However, he has turned the ball over ten times in the last seven games. Dallas could have been able to run out the clock thanks to his second interception, and following Decker’s penalty, he wasted two opportunities to convert from two points.
PERSONAL HARM
TE Following the game, wide receivers Jameson Williams (24 catches, 354 yards, three touchdowns combined) and Sam LaPorta (81 catches, 860 yards, nine touchdowns) were both hobbling. LaPorta has emerged as Goff’s second-best option after Amon-Ra St. Brown, while Williams is the most potent deep threat for Detroit.
ESSENTIAL NUMBER
12. The Lions can tie the franchise record of 12 wins in a season with a victory over the Vikings the following weekend. They finished 12-4 in 1991 under Barry Sanders’ leadership before falling to Washington in the NFC title game.
NEXT ACTIONS
In order to keep his squad healthy for the wild-card round, Campbell must strike a balance between defeating the Vikings.
