Lions' Dan Campbell explains gutsy call in 'TNF' win over Packers

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell likely surprised more than a few "Thursday Night Football" viewers when he kept his offense on the field for a fourth-and-1 situation at the Green Bay Packers' 21-yard line with 43 seconds remaining in regulation and the game tied, 31-31. 

The gamble paid off, and Campbell explained his decision following Detroit's 34-31 win that improved the first-place club to 12-1 on the season. 

"I just felt like we needed to end it on offense," Campbell said, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' website shared. "I did not want to give that ball back and I believed we could get that. I believed we could convert, and I trust that O-Line, I trust [running back David Montgomery] and they came through for us. It's a hell of a call by [offensive coordinator Ben Johnson]. I knew how I wanted to play this game, the team knew it, and everything in me told me, 'Let's finish this,' and so we did."

Disaster nearly struck on the play when quarterback Jared Goff tripped immediately after the snap, but he managed to hand the ball off to Montgomery for the first-down carry. Jake Bates then delivered the walk-off field goal to the delight of the Ford Field crowd. 

According to ESPN's Eric Woodyard, Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown admitted after the victory that he "didn't know we were gonna go for it at the end there" when a field goal would have given the hosts a lead late in the contest. 

"It kind of surprised me, too," St. Brown added about Campbell's call. "But like I said, we're used to it now. If he says go for it, we're all in. I wasn't in on that play where they got it, but I was confident in the guys on the field."

This past winter, Campbell received plenty of criticism from fans and analysts alike when he passed on attempting makeable field goals in fourth-down situations during the NFC Championship Game that Detroit ultimately lost to the San Francisco 49ers. Not that there was much doubt, but Thursday showed that experience won't change how Campbell approaches big moments. 

"You talk about pressure? We live in pressure," Campbell told his players after the win, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "That’s where we freakin' thrive. You did it again. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing in front [of], it doesn’t matter what’s going on, you always find a way to win. This has been in the making, men. This has been in the making. We were all supposed to be here together. We’re destined for this. Just stay the course." 

The Lions will now enjoy a break before they host the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15. 10-2 Buffalo plays at the 6-6 Los Angeles Rams this Sunday.