Detroit Lions Set NFL Record for Failed Fourth-Down Attempts

No other team has ever failed more converting on fourth down in an NFL game.
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The Detroit Lions decided to keep going for it on fourth down Sunday, despite not having any success. 

In fact, going 0-for-6 against the New England Patriots set an NFL record. 

It is the first occasion in which a team went for it to that degree without converting once. 

The 1995 Patriots previously went 0-for-5  in a loss to the Broncos.

Instead of deciding to kick a single field goal, Lions head coach Dan Campbell & Co. decided to remain aggressive, even against a defense that was proving to be challenging to move the football against. 

The team signed a new kicker this week, as Austin Seibert was waived after battling injuries. 

Michael Badgley did not hear his name called all afternoon, despite Detroit being in field-goal range early in the contest. 

"I think it's a really good defense. And, they had a really good plan for us. I mean, we moved the ball. I mean, we weren't just, like, you know, sputtering out of drives," Jared Goff said. "We moved the ball, we just didn't finish any drives. We didn't convert on our fourth downs, and that's kind of the difference today. 

"If we convert on all the fourth downs, you know, maybe we're able to score some points. I would think so," Goff continued. "But, you know, we ran the ball okay. You know, not up to our standards, but ran the ball okay. And, the pass game was not good until maybe midway through the third quarter, when we were able to get some chunks. But, it's too late by then."


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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!