Lions' Dan Campbell discusses decision-making process on 4th-down gamble

The Detroit Lions (4-2) picked up a pivotal NFC North victory on Sunday, downing the Green Bay Packers (4-3) in walk-off fashion, 20-17, thanks to a Jake Bates 22-yard field goal as time expired.Along the way, Lions head coach Dan Campbell made a gutsy late-game decision that seemed to backfire in the moment. With the Lions and Packers knotted up at 17 apiece, Campbell gambled on a 4th-and-1 play from the Lions' own 24-yard line.Gibbs was dropped for a 2-yard loss and the Packers took over in prime position to grab the lead with less than five minutes left to play.Keisean Nixon and the Packers force a turnover on downs!GBvsDET on FOX/FOX OneStream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/XrT82gvFEh— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2026The Lions' defense and special teams units would respond, though. Detroit forced a 35-yard Trey Smack field goal try, which DJ Wonnum partially blocked. Smack missed the kick and the Lions had new life.Leaning on star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions and quarterback Jared Goff directed a 10-play, 71-yard scoring drive that culminated with Bates' game-winning kick.Though it worked out for Detroit, some questioned Campbell's decision to gamble on 4th-and-1 instead of punting the football away.Afterwards, Campbell explained his decision-making process."Well, I thought we would get it No. 1. I really believed we would get that. No. 2, I knew we would get the ball back if it didn't work out, and those were the two thoughts," Campbell said.Dan Campbell breaks down his decision to go for it on 4th-and-1 in Lions territory coming down the stretch. pic.twitter.com/aEVBAG0BMv— The Lions Wire (@thelionswire) October 26, 2026Sure enough, it worked out better than Campbell and the Lions could have possibly expected after Detroit turned it over on downs.Campbell rolled the dice earlier on during Sunday's matchup, too.With the Lions leading the Packers 17-14 late in the third quarter, Campbell kept his offense on the field on a 4th-and-5 snap from the Green Bay 6-yard line. Goff's fourth-down pass was incomplete to Jameson Williams.For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLionsThis article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions' Dan Campbell discusses decision-making process on 4th-down gamble