The Lions already have easily the most fourth-down conversion tries of any team in the NFL playoffs.
And Dan Campbell may be even more likely to go for it this month than normal – starting with a divisional round game against the Commanders this weekend –based on his gambling tendencies.
A closer look at the Lions’ fourth-down conversion attempts in 2024 reveals that those tries came disproportionately against the NFL’s better teams.
Of the Lions’ 33 fourth-down tries this season, 21 came against teams that made the playoffs. That works out to just about double the attempts per game vs. playoff teams compared to non-playoff teams.
That tally of 33 tries includes five tries at home against the Packers (with four of them converted), five tries in a Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers and four tries in the season finale against the Vikings (the Lions didn’t play the Commanders in the regular season).
In comparison, the Lions didn’t go for it at all in comfortable wins over the Seahawks, Titans, Colts and Bears.
The Lions’ 33 attempts this season were the fourth most in the NFL, behind the Browns, Bears and Giants. Their 66 percent conversion rate is sixth in the NFL, behind four playoff teams.
Of course, going for it more often has its downsides. In last season’s NFC Championship Game, the Lions failed on a pair of second-half two-point tries. The resulting field position helped fuel San Francisco’s 27-point run in that half and sent them to the Super Bowl.
But Campbell insists he doesn’t regret those tries. And don’t expect him to regret any in these playoffs, either, no matter how many times he goes for it.