The Detroit Lions’ 11-game winning run was interrupted on Sunday with a 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills, and head coach Dan Campbell is taking the responsibility for a contentious moment. Campbell informed reporters that he regretted calling for an onside kick early in the fourth quarter, which Bills returner Mack Hollins recovered inside the 5-yard line. “I thought we’d get that ball,” Campbell remarked, later admitting, “I wish I hadn’t done it.”
The Lions were behind 38-28 when Campbell called the onside kick. On the next play, Bills quarterback Josh Allen increased the lead by throwing a touchdown pass to Ray Davis.
Detroit scored touchdowns on the next two possessions, but Buffalo added a field goal and recovered an onside kick to seal the game and inflict the Lions their first loss since Week 2. The 48 points allowed are a season high for Detroit and only the second time the team has allowed more than 30 points in a game this season. Campbell stated that he feels accountable for the loss. “I did not have those guys prepared to leave. Not like that… that is on me, man. We have a number of people who have performed a lot better than that… that tells me it’s (on) me,” Campbell told reporters after the loss, adding that the Lions “couldn’t quite match” the Bills’ energy.
The loss decreased the Lions’ record to 12-2, tying the Eagles for the best record in the NFC. If the Minnesota Vikings win their game against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, they will finish 12-2. The Lions and Vikings will meet in Week 18, and the outcome might determine home-field advantage in the playoffs. For the time being, the Lions will try to regroup before facing the Bears next Sunday.
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