The Detroit Lions are 4-2 on the 2026-27 NFL season after Dan Campbell's team responded from a failed fourth down gamble to force a missed Green Bay Packers field goal, and to drive down for a game-winning Jake Bates kick. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who was stopped on the fourth down play, had a NSFW reaction to Campbell's gutsy call while NBC commentator Mike Tomlin also shared his thoughts.
Tomlin spoke with Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth of NBC, during which he saw things from Campbell's point-of-view.
“It centers around elite quarterback play, when you've got elite quarterback play, you want to make sure your guy at least has a chance to have the ball at the end of that game. If he punts that ball the way Jordan Love and company has been operating, it's not possible, it's probable, that they're gonna matriculate the ball down the field and win the game.
“And so what (Campbell) did by going for it, he was either gonna be successful and keep the ball for his quarterback, or he was gonna at least give his quarterback a chance to answer.”
Article Continues BelowTomlin said he used to prepare for such scenarios when he had Ben Roethlisberger as his quarterback in Pittsburgh as head coach of the Steelers.
The Lions celebrated like champions during the Packers game, and are full of spirit headed toward the midway point of the season. They have little time to rest on their laurels with coach Kevin O'Connell's Minnesota Vikings headed to Motown on Nov. 1, a game the Lions could find themselves as underdogs in, especially after their close shave against the Packers.