Dan Campbell can always count the way he enjoys the closest thing he has to a homecoming when he visits the Dallas Cowboys today.
The Detroit coach and Texas native might add a wink and a nod for this return, about nine months after the Lions had a 2-point conversion incorrectly penalized in the final seconds of a 20-19 loss that cost them a shot at the top seed in the NFC.
Campbell isn’t ignoring the narrative of revenge. He’s not really foaming at the mouth, either, heading into today’s game at AT&T Stadium.
The Lions have started 3-1 in consecutive seasons for the first time in a decade, and the Cowboys (3-2) have stabilized after an alarming pair of home losses by winning twice on the road.
“You’ve got to keep your head about you no matter what it is, and I think each game, you can always find something,” said Campbell, who was born and raised less than 100 miles from Dallas and played three of his 10 NFL seasons with the Cowboys. “There are reasons behind why you want to win them, and you find what those are and they’re different every week.”
Last Dec. 30, the Lions had just driven 75 yards to a touchdown with 23 seconds left when Campbell decided to go for 2, using a tackle-eligible play he says he told officials about before the game.
Lineman Taylor Decker caught the pass for an apparent 21-20 lead, but officials ruled that Dan Skipper had reported as eligible and Decker had not. Quarterback Jared Goff was certain the opposite was true.
Goff threw an interception on the second attempt, but the Cowboys were offsides. The third attempt was an incomplete pass short of the goal line.
The crazy sequence wasn’t the first thing Goff was asked about by reporters this week, but that’s only because he set an NFL record in his most recent game by completing all 18 of his passes in a 42-29 victory over Seattle. Detroit was off last week.
It didn’t take the media long to get back to the play that helped drop the Lions to the third seed. They lost the NFC championship game at San Francisco.
“I don’t want to dwell on something that was eight months ago or whatever,” said Goff, who has lost to the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in each of the past two seasons. “I think it was just a mistake that the officials made, and it happens. I don’t think we take it personally.
“I think it’s more on the lines (of) we haven’t beaten these guys two years in a row and that’s more in our heads of like, ‘All right, it’s time to try and stop that,’” Goff said.
Dallas coach Mike McCarthy was even less interested in revisiting the odd ending.
“There’s been a lot of football since last year,” said McCarthy, whose team blew its good fortune by losing a home wild-card playoff game to Green Bay two weeks later. “I have not looked at our last year game. I’m really focused on what they’ve done this year.”
texans at patriots
Drake Maye makes his first career start for the Patriots (1-4) against a defense that just held Josh Allen to a 30% completion rate. The Texans (4-1) have 15 sacks and could feast on a rookie quarterback playing behind a woeful offensive line. C.J. Stroud won’t have top receiver Nico Collins and Joe Mixon’s status is uncertain but he still has Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell.
Jaguars vs. bears
The Jaguars (1-4) head abroad for the first of two straight games in London. Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne lead the second-best run offense in the NFL and Trevor Lawrence is coming off his best game of the season. The Bears (3-2) are starting to click on offense behind Caleb Williams’ passing and D’Andre Swift’s running. They should move the ball against a defense that’s given up more yards than everyone except the Colts. Jacksonville has won three straight games in London and must keep winning to have any chance of recovering from an 0-4 start.
cardinals at packers
The Packers (3-2) won’t overlook the Cardinals (2-3) after Arizona’s surprising comeback win in San Francisco. Jordan Love needs to protect the ball better for Green Bay. He has five interceptions in his three starts. Love will have receiver Romeo Doubs back this week so that should help. The Cardinals can score points with Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr. and James Conner. If their defense steps up as it did in the second half against the 49ers, the Cardinals have a chance.
colts at titans
Star running back Jonathan Taylor is out and quarterback Anthony Richardson and receivers Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. are uncertain for the Colts (2-3). But they have Joe Flacco, who has excelled while filling in for Richardson. Indianapolis’ problem is a league-worst defense. That gives Will Levis and the Titans (1-3) an opportunity get on track after a bye.
buccaneers at saints
The Buccaneers (3-2) are coming off a gut-wrenching overtime loss to Atlanta and went to New Orleans early to escape Hurricane Milton. Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay’s offense are starting fast but need to finish stronger. The Saints (2-3) have crashed after opening with two routs. They’ll be missing Derek Carr with Spencer Rattler getting his first career start at QB and are playing on a short week following a loss at Kansas City on Monday night.
browns at eagles
The Eagles (2-2) had a week off to think about an embarrassing loss to the Buccaneers. They should be focused and eager to go. Jalen Hurts could have more help if receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith return along with Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson. The Browns (1-4) hardly look like last year’s playoff team. Deshaun Watson has struggled and the defense has gone from No. 1 in the NFL to 13th and is giving up 24.2 points per game.
commanders at ravens
Lamar Jackson is playing like a two-time NFL MVP, Derrick Henry is the best running back in the NFL and the Ravens (3-2) have come a long way since losing their first two games. The Commanders (4-1) have been impressive behind rookie QB Jayden Daniels. They’ve won consecutive games by 20-plus points but Baltimore presents their toughest challenge yet.
chargers at broncos
Jim Harbaugh vs. Sean Payton is an intriguing matchup. The Chargers (2-2) have lost two in a row. The Broncos (3-2) have won three straight. Yet, Denver is a home underdog. Chargers QB Justin Herbert has been hampered by a high right ankle sprain the past two games, and he played behind an offensive line that was missing tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater so a bye week had to help. A stout defense has led Denver’s turnaround while rookie QB Bo Nix is still getting acclimated to the NFL.
steelers at raiders
Two teams with uncertainty at quarterback face off in a rivalry that goes back to Franco Harris’ “Immaculate Reception.” Justin Fields has been developing for the Steelers (3-2), but the offense is averaging just 18.4 points per game. Once Russell Wilson is healthy to play, coach Mike Tomlin has to make a decision he’s been avoiding. The Raiders (2-3) will have Aidan O’Connell replacing Gardner Minshew. But T.J. Watt still won’t make it a fun day for Las Vegas.
falcons at panthers
Comeback Kirk Cousins has found a rhythm in Atlanta’s offense. The playmakers, especially Darnell Mooney, are getting more comfortable working with Cousins. The Falcons (3-2) just need to avoid overlooking the Panthers (1-4) with tougher games ahead. The boost Andy Dalton gave Carolina seems to have worn off and the defense is giving up 33 points per game.
bengals at giants
Joe Burrow says the Bengals (1-4) aren’t a “championship-level” team right now. He’s right. But they’re better than their record and that’s why they’re favorites on the road against the Giants (2-3). New York is improving behind Daniel Jones and coming off an impressive road win at Seattle without top receiver Malik Nabers and No. 1 running back Devin Singletary. But Burrow and Cincinnati’s offense are heating up and desperately need to save their season.