5 momentous plays in Week 7: Dan Campbell gets bailed out after bonkers fourth-down gamble, and red-zone woes hurt Saints, Ravens and Packers
Red-zone failures were the story in Week 7.
1. Saints' red-zone failure costs them points in Paris
The Saints found themselves in a precarious position in Paris, trailing the Steelers, 13-10, at halftime. With the ball first in the second half, the Saints were on a roll, threatening to take the lead. Quarterback Tyler Shough converted multiple third downs on a lengthy drive, culminating in a critical interception by linebacker Payton Wilson in the red zone.
Wilson intercepted Shough, returning it 18 yards for a touchdown. The Steelers capitalized on this turnover, extending their lead to 16-10. Furthermore, the Steelers' subsequent drive, which lasted seven plus minutes, allowed them to score another field goal, cementing a 16-13 victory. The Saints' inability to capitalize on their opportunity in the red zone proved costly.
2. Ravens' red-zone woes in Bengals' comeback
The Ravens dominated the first half of their game against the Bengals, controlling the ball for 22 plus minutes. However, they struggled to create a substantial advantage. Prior to their first field goal, the Ravens attempted to go for it on fourth-and-1, but mishandled the snap, resulting in a missed kick. In the second try, with only 50 seconds left in the half, head coach Jesse Minter opted against going for it on fourth-and-3 from the Bengals' 6-yard line, despite having Lamar Jackson.
The decision to kick proved unfavorable when Joe Burrow ignited the Bengals in the third quarter, leading them to a 14-13 victory. The Ravens' failed red-zone execution may have contributed to the Bengals' resurgence.
3. Wonnum's block in Lions-Packers game
In a thrilling 20-17 contest between the Lions and Packers, the game came down to the final five minutes. With just under seven minutes left, the Packers tied the game, 17-17, and the Lions were given the ball with a chance to take the lead. Head coach Dan Campbell decided to go for it on fourth-and-1 from his own 24-yard line, a bold and unconventional choice.
Unfortunately, Jahmyr Gibbs was stopped for a 2-yard loss, leaving the Packers in a favorable position at the Lions' 22-yard line. The Packers' third down attempt fell short, and Trey Smack's field-goal attempt was narrowly deflected by Lions safety D.J. Wonnum. Although it is unclear whether this slight deflection impacted the ball's trajectory, the Ravens' interception and Wonnum's crucial block effectively nullified Campbell's daring decision, contributing to the Lions' narrow victory.
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