Last Thursday Dan Campbell made an uncharacteristically aggressive decision to go for it on 4th down while in field goal range in the final minute of a tied game against the Packers. Uncharacteristically aggressive for anyone except Dan Campbell, that is.
Since taking over as head coach in 2021, the Lions have faced 369 4th downs while leading or tied with their opponents. Campbell has opted to run or pass in nearly a third of those instances.
The Lions are 20% more likely to go for it in these circumstances than the next closest team and 60% more likely than the league average.
Given the Lions’ meteoric rise over the last three seasons, it will be interesting to see if other play callers get on the aggressive 4th down bandwagon.