NFL

Lions coach Campbell didn't realise he called match-sealing play against Vikings

By Sports Desk December 14, 2022
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell says he did not realise he had called their match-sealing play against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday as he was distracted by the crowd's wave.   The Michigan outfit moved second in NFC North, improving to a 6-7 record, with a 34-23 win over their high-flying rivals at Ford Field.   The game was sealed by offensive tackle Penei Sewell's catch two minutes into the fourth quarter, following a trick play to outsmart the defense.   But Campbell has now revealed he initially had not called the move, having been caught up in the atmosphere when offensive coordinator Ben Johnson pressed him for his approval.   "These things happen during the game," he told The Pat McAfee Show. "We're in that situation and the fans are doing the wave around the stadium.   "I'm just watching and I hear Ben Johnson's like, 'Hey Coach, do you want to brr, brr, brr ...'. I'm so focused on the wave and I said, 'Yeah, that's fine.'

"I look up, and we're throwing it to Penei, and I'm like, 'What the f*** are we doing?' They said, 'Coach, you said it was fine.' But it worked out great. It was unbelievable."

With back-to-back wins for just the second time this season, the Lions have overseen a dramatic turnaround in recent weeks, winning five of their last six games to bolster their playoff hopes.

They next make the trip to face the New York Jets on Sunday, before a Christmas Eve clash with the Carolina Panthers.

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