As the Detroit Lions get set to take on the San Francisco 49ers Monday night, memories of last year's NFC Championship Game loss have resurfaced. Players, namely Amon-Ra St. Brown, surely have a bit of revenge on their minds.
The Lions had a 24-7 halftime lead in that NFC title game loss evaporate, as Dan Campbell's decisions to go for it on two fourth downs rather than attempt a field goal in critical spots drew plenty of criticism. But that criticism was the epitome of criticizing the result more than the process, while also ignoring how Campbell had a kicker he couldn't trust in those conditions. Which is exactly why a lot of other coaches won't be as aggressive as he is, for fear of the backlash that'll come with failure.
If either or both of those fourth downs get converted and the Lions go to the Super Bowl, Campbell is a hero who maintained his fourth down aggressiveness even in the biggest of games. But the result didn't come, and some analysts can't let go of how Campbell approaches things.
Dan Campbell won't forget NFC Championship Game loss to 49ers
Campbell spoke to reporters on Saturday, and the opening question was about that loss to the 49ers and how/if it has stuck with him. Campbell has previously talked about the Super Bowl loss he experienced with the New York Giants in his second year as a player as a loss he hasn't forgotten, and he mentioned again Saturday.
"Yeah, sure, that’ll go — just like my second year in the league, we go to the Super Bowl and get smashed by Baltimore. I’ll never forget that either," Campbell said. "Those stick with you. We just didn’t do enough. You learn from every experience, and unfortunately that’s the best way to learn, is from the losses. It really is.”
That being said, Campbell made it clear he's able to compartmentalize last year's loss and maintain focus on preparing for this year's game against the 49ers, who are 6-9 and eliminated from playoff contention.
"You don't want to go through that feeling again, and that means you have to prepare a certain way, you have to play a certain way, everything that you talk about, per that opponent, for that week, and it's as simple as that," Campbell said. "This is the next opponent in front of us and just keep your cool, keep your composure, stay disciplined, do the little things that it takes to win a game, and it really is that simple."
It's often said by coaches and players that losing hurts more than winning feels good. A loss like last year's NFC Championship Game setback is one that's impossible to forget, and Campbell's admission is simply an outward symbol of that for the Lions.