We all know someone like Dan Campbell.

And if you don’t know someone like Campbell – *ahem* – then you might be the person in your circle of friends who most embodies the crazy Detroit Lions coach.

By the way, “crazy” is a term of endearment. I admire the Campbells of this world, the people who keep saying, “Beep it,” and take big risks instead of playing it safe.

Most of us are not wired that way. Most of us color within the lines, going about our daily routines and keeping our heads down without drawing too much attention from outsiders.

We have spouses, we have children, we have pets. We have bills; We have bosses. We have many reasons not to take big risks.

But here’s the thing about risk takers. They can lose it all…or they can win big.

Campbell loves living on the edge.

Go big or go home. No risk, no biscuit. Chicken if not.

This is how Campbell works. Look no further than Thursday’s primetime game, which the Lions won 34-31 over the Green Bay Packers.

Exhibition 1

It’s late in the third quarter. The Lions lead 24-21 and face fourth-and-1 from their own 31-yard line.

Says the angel on your shoulder: You have a suitor on your payroll. He is special and important. He probably donates to charity and respects his elders. This is his time to shine. Let him shoot for 50+ yards and force the Packers to have a long field.

The devil on your shoulder says: Forget the punter. What’s special about a punter? Do it. It’s a yard. A COURTYARD. You can do it.

Campbell listened to the devil. It didn’t work. The Lions failed to convert, the Packers offense happily took advantage of the short field and four plays later Green Bay took a 28-24 lead. Oops.

Exhibition 2

Fast forward to the final minute of the fourth quarter.

The score is 31 overall. Detroit has advanced to the Packers’ 20-yard line, but they lack the third-and-inches to reach fourth down.

So now there are 43 seconds left.

This would be a 37-yard or perhaps 38-yard field goal to give the Lions the lead.

Angel: Hey, coach. Remember how I told you about this special player? You also have a very special field goal kicker on your roster. He has a great story; Let’s make it even bigger by letting him kick things off here. It’s the holidays! And let’s be honest: If you try and make mistakes here, you are literally losing your chance to take the lead.

Devil: BORING. You have to try it, my man. You can’t make money because you’re afraid of money! Get first place, run down the clock and turn the Packers into molten cheese. Let Jordan Love watch from the sidelines and never take the ball back. Do it! Do it. Doooooo it.

Of course Campbell did.

This time it worked. The Lions converted on fourth down to keep the clock running, and not long after, Jake Bates kicked a game-winning 35-yard field goal as time expired.

The big risk led to big reward as the Lions improved to 12-1.

Where is the line between aggressive and ruthless?

It’s where Campbell lives.

Will the coach’s willingness to take risks ultimately help or hurt his team in a close playoff game?

Nobody can say for sure. That’s why the whole thing is so much fun.

That’s why I say: keep taking advantage of these opportunities, coach. Keep throwing all those chips in the middle of the table. Keep listening to the devil on your shoulder.

Most of us can live vicariously through you. Because we won’t rock the boat. We don’t even own a boat.

But if we did, we would have life jackets.