Chargers News: Dan Campbell's Aggressive Finish For Detroit Was No Accident
Sunday afternoon was another frustrating game in a long line of losses for the Los Angeles Chargers, not only this season but over the last few years. The team now finds itself with a 4-5 record for the year, and they are continuously having to play catch-up in the standings.
They dropped their game against the Detroit Lions at home by a score of 41-38, in an old fashion shootout. But the defense just simply didn’t come to play when it mattered most, and the Lions took advantage of it all.
Heading into the game, the biggest threat for the Bolts was the physicality of the Lions. Head coach Dan Campbell has instilled a punishing type of football team, and it is paying off with wins this season.
But his aggressiveness on the field is no accident, and it helped lead the Lions over the Bolts this weekend. While it doesn’t always work, having that confidence in the players is a big reason why Campbell has been successful in starting his coaching career.
"Campbell’s aggression paid off in more ways than one Sunday. On a drive late in the first quarter, the Lions went for it on fourth down on three separate occasions. The first, a halfback draw up the middle for 6 yards when the offense needed 4 — as the offensive line imposed its will. Another, as quarterback Jared Goff handed off to St. Brown for a first down. And again on a fourth-and-goal from the 1, as a Goff pass fell incomplete for a turnover on downs."
Campbell had a moment last season that has turned things around for him. He was conservative in a game against the Minnesota Vikings at the end, and the Lions ended up losing. He vowed to not make the same mistake again.
He understands that his team will get the job done, and he trusts them to do it. While the Bolts head coach Brandon Staley is aggressive oftentimes, it feels reckless when he makes his calls.
“I wanted to finish with the ball in our hands,” Campbell said, moments after his offense executed a game-winning drive to perfection to knock off the Los Angeles Chargers 41-38.
Los Angeles learned all too well about his aggressive playstyle, and now they are back below the .500 hole. They head to Green Bay this weekend and will need a solid bounce-back performance against the Packers.
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