When Dan Campbell sent his Detroit Lions offense out to pick up a 4th-and-1 and drain the clock down to almost nothing instead of kicking a field goal and giving the Green Bay Packers the ball back last Thursday, it was easy to assume that he didn't agonize over the decision. Campbell is the most aggressive coach in the NFL and he has the highest tolerance of risk—specifically when it comes to fourth down decisions.
As has happened more often than not in these situations, things worked out for Campbell and the Lions as David Montgomery plunged through the line to set up a game-winning Jake Bates field goal in Detroit's 11th consecutive win. But it almost didn't happen. Somewhat surprisingly, it sounds like Campbell was initially leaning toward taking the three points and risking late fourth quarter Jordan Love before he was talking into remaining true to himself by quarterback Jared Goff.
