Lions coach Dan Campbell doesn't regret costly 4th-down calls - ESPN

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — An emotional Dan Campbell strolled out of Levi's Stadium on Sunday evening with his arm wrapped around veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater after his team fell to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game 34-31.

Despite the loss, the third-year Detroit Lions head coach continued to hold his head high and said he had no regrets about two critical failed attempts on fourth down in the second half.

«It's easy hindsight, I get it. I get that, but I don't regret those decisions and it's hard,» Campbell said. «It's hard because we didn't come through and wasn't able to work out, but I don't and I understand the scrutiny I'll get, that's part of the gig, but it just didn't work out.»

After a dominant first half by the Lions gave them a 17-point lead, things turned on their head in the second half — including a third quarter in which they were outscored 17-0, their worst point differential in a quarter this season. Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs had a costly fumble at 5:15 in the third and the Lions had three dropped passes in the second half.

«A few third downs we wish that we could have converted. We went for it on fourth down a few times, I wish we would have had those,» said Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who caught seven receptions for 87 yards. «They played well on defense that second half. We were still moving the ball quite a bit, a turnover and whatnot. We both had one turnover, so it was tough.»

ESPN Analytics slightly favored Dan Campbell's decision to go for it on two fourth downs in the second half, giving the Lions a small bump in their odds of winning the game.

One of Campbell's decisions to go for it was on 4th-and-2 from the San Francisco 28 with 7:03 in the third; Lions QB