Lions' Campbell: 'I don't regret' 4th-down calls vs. 49ers

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has no regrets over his fourth-down decision-making during Sunday's 34-31 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.

"I don't regret those decisions," Campbell said postgame, according to The Athletic's Colton Pouncy. "It's hard because we didn't come through. It wasn't able to work out but I don't (regret it).

"I understand the scrutiny I'll get. It's part of the gig."

The Lions twice opted to pass on field-goal attempts and go for it on fourth down in the second half, with both attempts failing. Josh Reynolds dropped a potential conversion on the first attempt, which came in the third quarter with Detroit up 14 points. The 49ers scored a touchdown on the following drive to halve the deficit.

Then, down by three with just over seven minutes left, the Lions went for it on fourth-and-3 at the 49ers' 30-yard line but fell short on an incomplete pass by Jared Goff.

"I just felt really good about us converting. … They were bleeding the clock, that's what they do," Campbell said. "And I wanted to get the upper hand back."

The second failed fourth-down attempt appeared to take the wind out of the Lions' sails. The 49ers marched down the field to score a touchdown on the ensuing possession, making it a 10-point game with three minutes remaining.

Detroit took a 24-7 advantage into halftime before being outscored 27-7 in the second half. With the loss, the Lions squandered the biggest lead in conference title game history.

"It's like getting your heart ripped out," Campbell told reporters, including Kyle Meinke of MLive. "It's hard."

Campbell built a reputation as an aggressive play-caller during the Lions' 12-5 campaign in 2023. Only one team attempted more fourth-down attempts this season.

Running back David Montgomery came to Campbell's defense postgame, calling him the "best coach in the league," per Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News.