Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell is looking for the silver lining from the ending of Saturday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Campbell said he views the controversial two-point conversion and ensuing penalty as a “blessing” because the Lions can learn lessons from it. He even went as far as to say that it was reminiscent of the infamous uncalled pass interference penalty that likely cost the New Orleans Saints a victory in the 2018 NFC Championship Game. Campbell was an assistant coach for that Saints team.
The Lions coach added that he had “controlled fury,” and that the team had no choice but to use the outcome as “fuel” going forward.
The Lions appeared to have executed a trick play for a potential game-winning two-point conversion against Dallas on Saturday, only to have it wiped out by a penalty under controversial circumstances.
Ultimately, the outcome likely cost the Lions a chance at the No. 2 seed in the NFC, but otherwise fundamentally changed little about their playoff prospects. If they can use it as fuel, it might even end up helping them, and that seems to be what Campbell is trying to make happen.
More must-reads: