Playing to win vs. playing not to lose

From the Sidelines

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The last two weeks have certainly been a lesson in football attitude for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Detroit Lions. It has been the classic example of coaching philosophies, and in my opinion, it proves that playing to win a game instead of playing not to lose one works much more often than not.

Let’s look at the Buckeyes for a moment. One must admit that the Buckeyes have certainly been impressive with wins against a really good Tennessee team and the former #1 team Oregon, while they beat both handily. So, what happened against a much less talented team, the Michigan Wolverines? It was easy to see for most ardent football observers (that would be me!) that Ohio State played not to lose against Michigan instead of doing what they do best against them: using their strength, the passing game, instead of trying to run against a stout Michigan defense.

Why did Ryan Day and Chip Kelly do this? It seems unconscionable that this would happen, but the mental issue got to Day and Kelly; they didn’t like having their team called “soft.” Instead of just sticking to the game plan, Day wanted to prove how tough they were when his bread and butter, the passing game, had worked all year. Being called “soft” by opponents gets guys worked up. They have to prove they aren’t, and it affects their thinking. Even the offensive linemen hate being called that, and then they start pushing too hard and try doing things they are not good at. Being strong in the passing game does not mean you are “soft.” That is your strength, so use it and PLAY TO WIN!

Therefore, combine that with the pressure of “THE GAME”, a point spread that favors you highly, and overwhelming fan expectations you have the perfect example of playing not to lose. They were cautious, out coached, and played into Michigan’s strength. Ohio State expected to win, and played too conservatively and lost. They did not play to win, they played not to lose and it backfired.

The amazing thing to me was that while trying to prove they’re not soft, Ohio State experimented the next week with some new players in different offensive line positions, and lo and behold, they found some people that can block! I personally think that Chip Kelly, who loved running the balI when he was head coach, had an awful lot to do with that. I hope they have learned their lesson against Texas next week!

Now, take Dan Campbell, head coach of the Detroit Lions. He stated this week that they were playing their Division rival, the Minnesota Vikings, to win. Yes, he knew his team was already in the playoffs, so a win wasn’t really necessary….it didn’t matter. Yes, he knew he had six players on defense on injured reserve and 14 overall out…..it didn’t matter. Yes, he was aware he could rest a lot of his starters to get ready for the playoffs…..it didn’t matter..they were going to PLAY TO WIN, PERIOD!

It didn’t matter to him that much about the home-field advantage if they won; he just wanted to win……and his players loved him for it. He trusts them, and they trust him because he played the game as a tight end, and all he cared about was winning. I don’t think he even knows how to play not to lose. Against the Green Bay Packers, the game was tied with 1:20 left in the game.

The Packers had just gone ahead by one point, and the Lions had the ball on the Packers 30-something-yard line, 4th and 1. He called time out, Jared Goff, the quarterback, came over and Dan Campbell said did he think they should try the field goal and go ahead? Jared looked disappointed, and Dan, noticing his demeanor, asked him if he wanted to go for it. Jared said “Yeah, we can get it!”…and they did!

They gained seven yards on a run behind right tackle, moved closer, had a chip shot field goal and won. Dan Campbell’s Play-to-win attitude has permeated the whole team, and the Lions look like legitimate Super Bowl Contenders. One thing is for sure, if you play the Lions, they don’t care how beaten up they are, where they play, or who they play, they PLAY TO WIN!

Playing to win is really the purpose of any sporting endeavor. But, when you are highly favored and fan expectations are high, sometimes you get cautious, lose your focus, and it costs you dearly. Do what you have to do to win, no matter how different or “soft” everybody says you are. Ryan Day now knows…..and so does Dan Campbell, playing to win is the only way to success, playing not to lose often leads to losing…..and nobody wants that!

That’s the way I see it………from the sidelines!