
Dan Campbell (Lions photo by Jeff Nguyen)
Mark Craig of the Minnesota Star Tribune said a key factor in Sunday's epic game between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings could be Lions Coach Dan Campbell's willingness to gamble on fourth down and short yardage.
Craig writes:
Campbell has gone for it a league-high 147 times on fourth down since taking over the Lions. He has been successful 82 times, a 55.8% rate that’s 10th-best. He’s also 9-for-12 on fake punts, including a conversion this season that saw Detroit punter Jack Fox throw for 17 yards while standing inside his own 10-yard line.
He concludes:
You can almost guarantee that a fourth-down play will hold a key to the outcome in a game between two evenly matched 14-2 teams. Especially in Detroit.
“Going for it is their mentality,” says Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman. “And fourth down is the sword they live and die on.”
Currently, the Lions are favored to win the game at Ford Field by at least a field goal.
Many Lions fans are optimistic, but some worry the wounded defense may not be able to stop the Vikings.
On the upside, linebacker Alex Anzalone has been cleared to play Sunday. That doesn't mean he will play. That's to be determined.
The game starts 8:20 p.m. Sunday on NBC and Peacock.