Dan Campbell got the win he wanted against the Green Bay Packers, but not everyone thinks his late-game gamble was worth taking.

The Detroit Lions coach put his offense in a difficult spot by passing on a punt, and the failed attempt gave the Packers a chance to steal the game.

Jeff Saturday Criticizes Lions Coach Dan Campbell

Former NFL center and Super Bowl champion Jeff Saturday had a clear problem with that decision, especially considering how well Detroit’s defense had been playing.

Speaking on ESPN’s “Get Up,” Saturday delivered a blunt assessment of Campbell’s fourth-and-1 decision from Detroit’s own 24-yard line with the score tied 17-17.

Running back Jahmyr Gibbs was stopped for a two-yard loss, handing Green Bay possession in favorable field position with less than five minutes remaining.

“I hated it. You’re on your own. You’re on your own side of the ball. You’re deep,” Saturday said.

He argued that the Lions had little reason to take such a risk when its defense had delivered its best performance of the season, given Detroit’s defense has allowed a season-low 17 points so far and was executing its game plan effectively.

Saturday’s criticism centered on the position Campbell put his team in. Rather than making Green Bay earn its way downfield, Detroit’s failed conversion gave the Packers an immediate opportunity to take control.

Saturday believed punting would have forced quarterback Jordan Love and the offense to navigate a longer drive against a defense that had been limiting them.

He also questioned whether Campbell’s decision would look as defensible if Green Bay had capitalized.

The Packers had an opportunity to make Detroit pay, but a dropped potential 17-yard touchdown pass kept them from finding the end zone. Green Bay then missed a 35-yard field goal attempt that Lions defensive lineman DJ Wonnum blocked.

“You fell into literally a drop to hit the dude in the hands, and he dropped it again,” Saturday said, referring to the missed opportunity.

He acknowledged that the Packers had struggled with dropped passes this season but maintained that Detroit benefited from the Packers’ mistakes.

Saturday also drew a distinction between accepting the risk of a field goal and giving an opponent a chance to score a touchdown. “If you’re playing the field goal game, I get it, but at least make them go earn the field goal,” he said.

Detroit, which ranks 27th on PFN NFL Defense Impact%20assigns,red%20zone%20and%20third%20downs.), ultimately made the most of its reprieve. After their defense kept Green Bay from scoring, the Lions put together a final drive that ended with Jake Bates making a 22-yard field goal as time expired for a 20-17 victory.

Campbell defended his decision after the game, saying he believed Detroit would convert and that the team would have time to respond if it failed. Saturday, however, remained unconvinced that the outcome vindicated the call.

“They should have scored a touchdown, and they got fortunate,” he said. “They were fortunate they didn’t score a touchdown, and that’s why it’s going to look like a great call.”

For Saturday, the narrow victory did not erase the risk. Detroit won, but Green Bay’s missed opportunities helped determine whether Campbell’s gamble became a winning decision or a costly mistake.