Tweet
I think that the first one was the worst and had they taken the 3 there probably would not have been a second one.
I agree. When the Lions held SF to a FG out of the half, their win probably INCREASED to 91.5%. That was a win for the Lions. To follow that up with a 3-4 minute drive and a FG of their own would have increased it even further but more importantly, kept the crowd out of the game. I'll always believe that going for that 4th and 2 in the 3rd quarter spooked a young Lions team that's never been in that position before.
I'm reminded of a story from a family friend who was a really good distance runner that competed in road races. He said the first time he ever took the lead in a 10K he was nervous as hell because he was afraid he'd turn down the wrong street or do something to disqualify himself. It's a completely different situation when you are the one setting the pace and others are following.
And it is how they got to the championship game, but...
This is a popular refrain but they got to the championship by winning enough games and it could have/should have been one more if not for Campbell's stubbornness in Dallas. That should have been a wake-up call that the cowboy shit has its drawbacks, too. Against San Francisco he was like a drivers ed instructor who had a student out cruising on a nice country road and then said "hey, lets go get on the expressway at rush hour!" There was no need. They were in complete control until they decided to cede it to the Niners.
Comment