At first glance, it seemed like a doomed play had somehow – perhaps miraculously – worked out.
Quarterback Jared Goff stumbled. Running back Jahmil Gibbs went down. A cry of “fumble'' was heard from the offensive line.
But somehow, moments later, Goff found Lions tight end Sam LaPorta for a touchdown against the Bears on Sunday.
“Gibbs stumbled after taking the snap, but it didn't matter,” FOX play-by-play voice Kenny Albert said. “Connected with Laporta, Lions touchdown. If something goes wrong…”
Except nothing was wrong.
The Lions defeated their NFC North rival 34-17 on Sunday, making a play that LaPorta “stumbled” into a success.
“It worked like a charm,” Goff said. “I’m glad I was able to score there.”
In a copycat league, the Lions actually stole their play. From the archrival Packers.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love made a similar play in Week 1 last season, fumbled the snap, calmly turned and took a shot down the field to tight end Luke Musgrave for 37 yards. made the goal.
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson asked Goff earlier in the week if he could intentionally fumble and pick up the ball like Love, but Goff wasn't sure if that would work.
The team practiced many times before performing this play.
“I was like, 'I don't know that,'” Golf said. “We got out of there pretty quick and I was like, let’s pretend to fall or pretend to be fumbling, but I’m grabbing the ball.
“The part where Gibbs dives is the selling point of this play.''
Leading 27-14 with 12:26 left in the third quarter Sunday, the Lions made a play at the Bears' 21-yard line.
Goff appeared to stumble while Gibbs jumped to the ground as if diving for the ball. The offensive line screamed as if they had to jump on the ball.
Several of the Bears' linebackers appeared frozen, unsure if the ball hit the ground.
Like Love before him, Goff saw the tight end stretch down the left sideline and found LaPorta for a 21-yard score.
“It was amazing,” LaPorta said. “Ben is as creative as anyone. It was great to go out there and run that. All 10 other guys did that. To take that off the call sheet and get a touchdown there. It's great that you can decide.”
After Albert's initial confusion, his broadcast partner Jonathan Vilma seemed to understand what had happened.
“Was it a trick play? Because now it seems like it was intentional,” Vilma said. “There's a fake Jahmil Gibbs fall, there's a fake Jared Goff trip…”
While Johnson showed off his creativity, ESPN insider Adam Schefter left things open to interpretation in a tweet about the play.
“This was planned. Ben Jonson was intentional.” he tweeted.
One wonders if the “intentional” aspect of this play refers to the fake fumble and Johnson showing off his playbook in Chicago while the Bears prepare to hire a new coach. It's natural to think so.
NFL Network reported that Johnson is “interested” in playing the Bears' season opener.
“My understanding is that Ben Johnson is interested in the Bears job. He would be willing to listen.” Reported by Tom Pelissero. “There's a lot to like about Chicago, including Caleb Williams, tons of cap space, additional draft resources, and a major market. They plan to break ground on a new stadium next year.”
