Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has built his reputation on bold decisions and aggressive play-calling, earning him widespread praise during the Lions’ resurgence this season. However, one of those gutsy calls backfired spectacularly during Sunday’s 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills, and former NFL star JJ Watt didn’t hesitate to voice his disapproval.
The Decision That Turned the Tide
With 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Lions scored a touchdown to trim Buffalo’s lead to 38-28. Rather than kicking off and trusting his defense to make a stop, Campbell opted for an onside kick—a decision that immediately backfired.
The kick was recovered by Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins, who returned it to Detroit’s 5-yard line. On the very next play, Buffalo scored a touchdown, stretching their lead to 45-28 and effectively sealing the game.
Campbell’s Explanation and Admission
After the game, Campbell defended his decision, saying he believed the Lions would recover the onside kick. While admitting in hindsight that it was a mistake, the coach maintained that he made the call because he trusted his team’s ability to execute.
“I felt like we had a good chance to recover,” Campbell said during the post-game press conference. “In hindsight, maybe we should have kicked it deep, but I believed in my guys to make a play.”
JJ Watt’s Reaction
JJ Watt, a future Hall of Famer and one of the most respected voices in football, wasn’t convinced by Campbell’s reasoning. Watt took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration with the call, questioning the logic behind it given the circumstances of the game.
“It was a 10-point game. With 12 minutes left. I don’t understand,” Watt wrote.
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Watt didn’t stop there. In a follow-up post, he sarcastically compared Campbell’s logic to an unrealistic personal challenge:
“I ‘think’ I could wrestle a small bear, but that doesn’t mean I should try it,” Watt tweeted. “I love that DC believes in his squad so much that he thinks everything they do will be successful. But onside kicks have a 7% success rate. Trying one with 12 minutes left while only down by 10 was insane.”
The Context Behind the Call
Under the NFL’s new kicking rules, onside kicks have become increasingly difficult to execute successfully. Teams must declare their intent to attempt an onside kick in the fourth quarter when trailing, eliminating the element of surprise. With a success rate of only 7%, the odds were stacked against Campbell’s decision.
Campbell’s aggressive approach, however, has paid off in the past. Just last week, his daring play-calling was instrumental in securing a pivotal divisional win for the Lions. Given how dominant Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense had been throughout the game, Campbell may have felt that Detroit’s only chance to turn the tide was to steal an extra possession.
The Fallout
While Campbell’s bold style has earned him praise this season, Sunday’s decision reignited the debate over when risk-taking crosses the line into recklessness. For many, including Watt, the timing of the onside kick—trailing by 10 points with 12 minutes remaining—felt premature and unnecessary.
Watt’s criticism highlights a broader conversation about balancing aggressive coaching with situational awareness. While Campbell’s belief in his players is commendable, critics argue that it’s essential to weigh the statistical odds and game context before making such high-stakes calls.
What’s Next for the Lions?
Despite the loss, the Lions remain in the playoff hunt, a testament to Campbell’s leadership and the team’s significant improvement this season. However, Sunday’s game served as a reminder that even the most fearless coaching styles come with inherent risks.
Campbell’s ability to rally his team after such a controversial decision will be crucial as the Lions prepare for their next matchup. The team’s resilience will be tested, but one thing is clear: Campbell’s boldness will continue to define the Lions’ identity—for better or worse.
As for Watt, his pointed critique adds another layer to the scrutiny Campbell will face moving forward. Whether the Lions coach adjusts his approach or doubles down on his risk-taking philosophy will be a storyline to watch as the season unfolds.
