energized Lions coach Dan Campbell maintains that he has moved past the devastating Cowboys loss.
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On Saturday, December 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas, head coach of the Detroit Lions Dan Campbell reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys. Cowboys victory, 20-19. (Michael Ainsworth/AP)
After the Lions’ successful 2-point conversion play against the Dallas Cowboys in the second half of an NFL football game on Saturday, December 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas, quarterback Jared Goff (16) of the Detroit Lions speaks with umpire Duane Heydt. Cowboys victory, 20-19. (Image by Michael Ainsworth/AP)
Before executing a 2-point conversion play against the Dallas Cowboys in the second half of an NFL football game on Saturday, December 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, left, speaks with offensive tackle Taylor Decker. Cowboys victory, 20-19. Decker successfully caught a ball to score the play, but the play was called back because Decker failed to register with officials as an eligible receiver before the play began. (Image by Michael Ainsworth/AP)
Right now, Campbell declared, “I’m running on pure octane.” “I became conscious. We are going to proceed now that I’m ready.
At his weekly press conference, Campbell had no intention of looking back.
During his two-minute, ten-second opening remarks, he omitted any mention of offensive tackle Taylor Decker’s stopped 2-point conversion against the Cowboys.
Because offensive lineman Dan Skipper checked in as eligible when he and offensive lineman Penei Sewell contacted referee Brad Allen prior to the crucial play, officials concluded that Decker was an ineligible receiver.
In Dallas, Decker informed reporters that he had reported as qualified, but Skipper claimed not to have spoken to the officials at all.
Campbell said he was unsure if Skipper had removed the numbers off his jersey, which would have confused officials into believing he was reporting as eligible.
Following a series of inquiries concerning the penalty, the normally gregarious and helpful coach became unusually irritated by the press.
He questioned, “Why do you folks want to talk about this?”
The NFL has not responded to the team’s inquiries over the call, according to Campbell, who also mentioned that team president Rod Wood is in charge of the league’s correspondence.
“I’m over it until you people ask me the questions,” Campbell declared. “I’m not even interested in handling it. Rod is on top of everything, dude. I don’t even want to deal with it, yet he has it. I’m through. I’m doing fine. All I want to do is leave so that our players are prepared for Minnesota and can start playing.
The NFL has not commented on the call, and Wood was not available to reporters on Monday.
The NFC North champion Lions (11-5) have less to lose when they host the division rival Minnesota Vikings (7-9) on Sunday because of the one-point loss they suffered at Dallas. However, Campbell affirmed that he does not intend to bench injured players for the postseason.
That’s the current plan, he stated.
With a victory, Detroit can raise its postseason ranking. Right now, the Lions are ranked third in the NFC.
Sam LaPorta, the rookie tight end, is “good,” according to Campbell, and Jameson Williams, the receiver, departed the game against the Cowboys due to an ankle injury that was not considered serious.
In addition to defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who has been sidelined for a month due to a knee injury, he is optimistic that defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the season-opening victory against Kansas City, will play against the Vikings.
Despite his reluctance to discuss the call against the Cowboys, Campbell sees a silver lining.
He remarked, “We were in a close game, had a chance to win it, and so now you know what that’s like.” “You can’t let that opportunity pass you by because you understand how that feels. the’s because you never know when the play will be called; it may be in the first, second, or just before halftime.
