SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Dan Campbell doesn’t look at fourth downs like anyone else in football looks at fourth downs, which makes a lot of people uncomfortable, sometimes irate and, if it doesn’t pan out, arrogantly judgmental.
“I understand the scrutiny,” Campbell said. “It’s part of the gig.”
Twice in Sunday’s NFC championship game, Campbell’s Detroit Lions faced fourth-and-short while within field-goal range. One kick could've regained a 17-point lead. The other could've tied the game.
On neither occasion did Campbell hesitate with his decision. There was no way he wasn’t going for it.