Dan Campbell takes the blame for the Lions loss to the Bills
In a game that tested the mettle of both teams, the Detroit Lions fell short against the Buffalo Bills, losing 42-48 in a nail-biting contest. Following the defeat, Lions head coach Dan Campbell stepped up to shoulder the blame for the outcome, acknowledging critical decisions that may have cost his team the game.
“It starts with me,” Campbell said in his post-game press conference. “There were some choices I made that didn’t put our guys in the best position to succeed, and that’s on me. We’ve got a resilient group, but I have to be better.”
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both offenses finding success. Jared Goff delivered another strong performance, throwing for 305 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Jahmyr Gibbs added 95 rushing yards and a touchdown. However, several key moments late in the game turned the tide in Buffalo’s favor.
One of those moments came in the fourth quarter, with the Lions holding a slim 27-24 lead. Facing a fourth-and-2 near midfield, Campbell opted to go for it rather than punt and pin the Bills deep. The attempt fell short, giving Buffalo prime field position. Josh Allen capitalized on the opportunity, orchestrating a touchdown drive that put the Bills ahead for good.
“I trusted our guys to make a play, and I still do,” Campbell explained. “But in hindsight, maybe that wasn’t the right call in that situation. That’s a tough one to swallow.”
The Lions also struggled with penalties, committing eight infractions for 75 yards, including a crucial pass interference call on the Bills’ final drive that extended their possession. Campbell acknowledged the need for more discipline in high-pressure moments.
Despite the loss, the Lions showed flashes of their potential. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta had a standout game with seven receptions for 110 yards, and the defense managed to contain Allen for much of the game, sacking him three times.
Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott praised the Lions’ effort, saying, “That’s a tough, well-coached team. They made us earn every yard.”
The defeat drops the Lions to 9-5 on the season, but they remain in strong contention for the NFC North title. Campbell expressed confidence in his team’s ability to bounce back.
“We’ve got everything in front of us,” Campbell said. “We’re not going to let one game define us. We’ll learn from this, and we’ll come back stronger.”
The Lions will look to rebound next week as they face the Chicago Bears in a divisional showdown. With Campbell’s leadership and the team’s resilience, Detroit fans have reason to believe this setback is just a bump in the road on their journey to playoff contention.
