The Detroit Lions unexpectedly lost the Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers, and there’s a good chance that one crucial play affected the result.
With a 23–14 deficit to the Packers in the third quarter, the Lions tried a fake punt from their own 22-yard line. The Packers stopped the fake, setting themselves up for another touchdown, since they were ready for it.
After the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell took responsibility for the failed fake punt, admitting it was a bad call on his part. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, on a direct snap as the personal protector, was stopped for no gain, leading to a Packers touchdown three plays later.
Campbell acknowledged the mistake, stating, “Yeah, look, that’s a bad call on me. That’s a bad call. I shouldn’t have done that to those guys. That’s a bad call.”
Facing a fourth-and-4 from their own 23-yard line, the Lions ran the fake with 5:32 left in the third quarter. Despite a similar conversion in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, this attempt backfired. The Packers’ defense held firm, and they scored a touchdown on the ensuing possession.
Despite the unsuccessful play, Campbell’s aggressive coaching style has often paid off, stealing possessions and critical points in previous games. While the Thanksgiving fake punt did not work out, players expressed their trust in Campbell’s decisions, emphasizing the team’s culture of aggressiveness.
Quarterback Jared Goff noted:
“We have complete faith in him.” When he takes those decisions, we have complete faith in him. For the most part, he is correct. When he’s not, it’s our responsibility to pick him up and execute the plays that will win the game. But sure, believe in him completely and show affection for him when he puts us in positions where he needs to make amends.
