NFL great scrutinizes Lions' Dan Campbell for aggressive onside kick decision in loss to Bills

The Buffalo Bills beat the Detroit Lions 48-42 in a thriller led by Josh Allen’s 4 TDs. Craig Carton, Danny Parkins, Mark Schlereth, and Greg Jennings ask if the Bills are now the best team in the NFL.

NFL legend J.J. Watt criticized Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell for his decision for an onside kick early in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

The Lions opted for the onside attempt while down 10 points with about 12 minutes left in the game. Instead, Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins returned the bouncing ball 38 yards to set up a Josh Allen touchdown pass to Ray Davis. Buffalo went back up 17 points.

Watt lobbed his criticism on X.

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Former Houston Texans player J.J. Watt speaks to the crowd after being inducted into the Texans Ring of Honor during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

"It was a 10-point game. With 12 minutes left. I don’t understand," Watt wrote.

"I ‘think’ I could wrestle a small bear, that doesn’t mean I should try it. I love that DC believes in his squad so much that he thinks everything they do will be successful. But onside kicks have a 7% success rate. Trying one with 12 min left while only down by 10 was insane."

The Bills never wavered and won the game 48-42. 

Campbell admitted he thought they would have recovered the kick.

"I thought we’d get that ball," he said. "I wish I hadn’t done it."

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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell addresses the media after an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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