"I saw red flags" - Colin Cowherd questions "rah-rah guy" Dan Campbell's approach despite Lions' 42-29 MNF win
The Detroit Lions delivered a statement performance on Monday Night Football, beating the previously undefeated Seattle Seahawks 42-29 on the back of a stellar display from Jared Goff. The quarterback completed each of his 18 pass attempts for 292 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Goff's only error of the game was the safety he conceded on the brink of the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter. It could've made the game interesting, had the Seahawks capitalized on it with a quick touchdown.
While the Lions' defense held firm and secured the win for their team, Colin Cowherd was irked about Dan Campbell calling a play-action pass with the offense lined up right outside the endzone. On Tuesday's episode of The Herd, the analyst called out the head coach for his reckless decision.
"Detroit's in this transition stage. Dan Campbell, created a tough culture and deserves respect, but he's got to transition from rah-rah guy to situationally elite guy like an Andy Reid. Because my question is, 'Why is that game close? Why are you throwing out of the end zone with a lead late and getting a safety?'" - Colin Cowherd on 'The Herd'
Colin Cowherd laments Dan Campbell and the Lions' inconsistency
The veteran analyst claimed the Lions' lack of identity as a team is one of the key reasons why he doesn't believe they could win the Super Bowl. He noted that Campbell's Detroit lacked a consistent play style, a hallmark of every great team in this century.
"If your team looks different every week, it lacks a consistency - a consistency that teams that hoist trophies have. The Chiefs games all look the same. New England's game forever looked the same, even the Ravens game... You get that dynamic offense, you get speed, you get aggressiveness, you get good coaching, you get toughness. I never know what I get with Detroit. They won and I saw red flags." - Cowherd said
The Lions' defense had played well in their first three games but the offense struggled. When the offensive unit put forth its best display against the Seahawks, the defense gave up more than 20 points for the first time this season.
Detroit came into this campaign fresh off making the NFC Championship Game earlier this year.