In most cases, opting for a fourth-and-3 instead of the game-tying kick well within field-goal range during the last quarter of the NFC championship game deserves plenty of criticism. The kind of rants that drive up TV ratings for the screaming heads on debate shows.

But not for Dan Campbell. Not for a Detroit Lions team that has never gone to a Super Bowl. No need to play it safe when nothing has worked for the franchise in the modern era of football.