Detroit Lions Set NFL Record for Failed Fourth-Down Attempts
The Detroit Lions decided to keep going for it on fourth down Sunday, despite not having any success.
In fact, going 0-for-6 against the New England Patriots set an NFL record.
It is the first occasion in which a team went for it to that degree without converting once.
The 1995 Patriots previously went 0-for-5 in a loss to the Broncos.
Instead of deciding to kick a single field goal, Lions head coach Dan Campbell & Co. decided to remain aggressive, even against a defense that was proving to be challenging to move the football against.
The team signed a new kicker this week, as Austin Seibert was waived after battling injuries.
Michael Badgley did not hear his name called all afternoon, despite Detroit being in field-goal range early in the contest.
"I think it's a really good defense. And, they had a really good plan for us. I mean, we moved the ball. I mean, we weren't just, like, you know, sputtering out of drives," Jared Goff said. "We moved the ball, we just didn't finish any drives. We didn't convert on our fourth downs, and that's kind of the difference today.
"If we convert on all the fourth downs, you know, maybe we're able to score some points. I would think so," Goff continued. "But, you know, we ran the ball okay. You know, not up to our standards, but ran the ball okay. And, the pass game was not good until maybe midway through the third quarter, when we were able to get some chunks. But, it's too late by then."
