NFL legend JJ Watt criticized Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell for taking an onside kick early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.
With about 12 minutes remaining in the game and leading by 10 points, the Lions opted for an onside try. Instead, Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins returned the bounced ball 38 yards, setting up a touchdown pass from Josh Allen to Ray Davis. Buffalo got back 17 points.
Watt criticized X.
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Former Houston Texans player JJ Watt speaks to the crowd after being inducted into the Texans' Ring of Honor during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
“It was a 10-point game with 12 minutes left. I can't understand it,” Watt wrote.
“Just because you 'think' you can wrestle a small bear doesn't mean you shouldn't try. DC has so much faith in their team that they think everything they do will be successful. But my onside kick success rate is 7%.'' It was insane to try with 12 minutes left and we were down by 10. ”
The Bills remained unfazed and won 48-42.
Campbell admitted he thought they would have gotten the kick back.
“I thought we could get that ball,” he said. “I wish I hadn't done it.”
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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell addresses the media after an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
This eliminated the element of a surprise onside kick and resulted in a dynamic kickoff. Teams must declare their intent to take an onside kick and may only attempt an onside kick in the fourth quarter. Entering Week 15, only 3 of 41 onside kicks were recovered.
NFL executive Troy Vincent said the competition committee may need to consider options to reinstate onside kicks because they have become a “dead play.”
“I think we need to put everything on the table,” Vincent said. “When we adjusted kickoffs five or six years ago, it affected onside kicks as well. Previously, that play would result in overloads, attack blocks, trap blocks, and that was a pretty dangerous play. What we mean is, you can set people up for failure.
“I think we have to look at all aspects. We should be able to do that in every quarter. An onside kick is not a surprise. I think we have to put all those things back on the table. We should explore. Our effort should be to make every play a competitive play, and that includes that play whether it's in the first quarter or the fourth quarter. ”
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell (center) watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ray Del Rio)
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The Philadelphia Eagles proposed an onside kick adjustment last year. That way, the team could have tried a 4-and-20 from their 20. If it is converted, the team gets the ball back.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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