Dan Campbell tears up in emotional press conference after Lions’ gutting playoff loss: ‘My fault’

Dan Campbell tears up in emotional press conference after Lions’ gutting playoff loss: ‘My fault’

In the aftermath of the Lions’ shocking exit in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Dan Campbell could only mask his emotions for long.

The head coach, who helped craft the idenтιтy of a hard-nosed Detroit team that cruised to the NFC’s top seed with a 15-2 record, choked up and wiped away tears during his press conference while attempting to dissect the Lions’ 45-31 loss to the Commanders on Saturday at Ford Field.

Dan Campbell addresses reporters after the Lions’ loss to the Commanders on Jan. 18. AP

“It just hurts to lose, man,” Campbell said after the end of his fourth campaign in charge of the Lions. “And I don’t care if you’re the 7-seed, 6-seed, 5-seed, 1-seed. Cause I’ve lost at all of them, damn near. And it stings and it hurts. It hurts. You have to get up, body’s beat to s–t, mentally stay locked in and do those things, so long season.”

Then, after a reporter asked another question, Campbell said, “It’s my fault. It’s my fault.”

Dan Campbell reacts with Jared Goff during the Lions’ loss to the Commanders on Jan. 18. Imagn Images

The Lions have collected a 27-5 record under Campbell during the last two seasons and emerged as one of the NFL’s most embraceable teams attempting to deliver the city its first Super Bowl, but both campaigns ended with a gut-wrenching loss in the playoffs — with Detroit blowing a 24-7 lead to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game last year.

And this time, the Lions allowed the Commanders and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels to erupt for 31 points in the first half, and Jared Goff threw three interceptions.

They pulled within three points early in the third quarter, but Washington responded with consecutive touchdown drives — a 15-play, 70-yard one followed by an eight-play, 66-yard possession — to eventually build an insurmountable advantage.

Detroit turned the ball over five times, and costly penalties also derailed their push to mount a comeback.

“It’ll probably bother me forever, honestly,” Lions offensive lineman Taylor Decker said, while offensive lineman Dan Skipper added that it “sucks,” according to The Athletic.

Daniels, who threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another 51 yards, and the Commanders will now travel to face the winner of Sunday’s divisional showdown between the No. 2-seed Eagles and No. 4-seed Rams for a spot in the Super Bowl.

Dan Campbell reacts on the sideline during the Lions’ loss to the Commanders on Jan. 18. AP

And Campbell will now enter an offseason that could be filled with major changes to his staff, as both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn have become popular names during the latest cycle of coaching interviews.

Those looming decisions could complicate Campbell’s quest to fix what went wrong Saturday and help the sting of their latest playoff exit fade away.

Related Posts

How Tom Brady lured new Raiders coach Pete Carroll to Las Vegas revealed

How Tom Brady lured new Raiders coach Pete Carroll to Las Vegas revealed

New Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll has admitted Tom Brady signing on as a minority owner completely changed his outlook of the franchise.  Carroll had…

Terrifying moment gun-wielding ex-NFL star Antonio Brown ‘fights off attackers’ in wild brawl

Terrifying moment gun-wielding ex-NFL star Antonio Brown ‘fights off attackers’ in wild brawl

Troubled ex-NFL star Antonio Brown appears to pull out a gun before sH๏τs are fired in shocking footage from a boxing event in Miami on Friday night….

Jaxson Dart shares picture with his mom from Kentucky Derby after her viral moment at NFL draft

Jaxson Dart shares picture with his mom from Kentucky Derby after her viral moment at NFL draft

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart has shared a pH๏τo with his mom, Kara, from the Kentucky Derby on social media after her viral moment from last…

Ivanka Trump leaves note for Eagles star Eli Ricks who has crush on her during tour of team facility

Ivanka Trump leaves note for Eagles star Eli Ricks who has crush on her during tour of team facility

President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump left a note for Philadelphia Eagles defender Eli Ricks during her tour of the team’s facility with her son’s flag football…

EXCLUSIVESeething Travis Kelce slams Trump over comments about Taylor Swift’s looks and vows fierce retaliation

EXCLUSIVESeething Travis Kelce slams Trump over comments about Taylor Swift’s looks and vows fierce retaliation

Travis Kelce is seething about Donald Trump’s attack on Taylor Swift, a source close to the NFL star has told the Daily Mail. The president hit out at…

NFL owners considering radical shake-up that would dramatically change the shape of the football season

NFL owners considering radical shake-up that would dramatically change the shape of the football season

NFL owners are set to vote on a potentially dramatic change to the league’s playoff format in Minneapolis next week. The shock proposal came from the Detroit…