CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 22: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions reacts against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
A high-octane Detroit Lions offense doesn’t need to resort to trickery to put points on the board.
But it sure is fun when it does.
The Lions pulled off one of the best trick plays of the season for a touchdown pass on Sunday in a 34-17 win over the Chicago Bears. It featured some strong acting by quarterback Jared Goff and running back Jahmyr Gibbs and support from the offensive line to sell it.
Goff appeared to stumble after taking a snap from under center on first-and-10 at the Chicago 21-yard line. As he feigned falling to the ground, so did Gibbs on what the Lions sold as a botched handoff. Fox microphones picked up players yelling “ball, ball” and “fumble, fumble” as Gibbs fell to the turf.
But Goff maintained possession of the ball, which he hid tucked to his body as he remained upright. Chicago defenders, meanwhile, bit on the fake fumble as Lions lineman blocked to their left as if it were a run play.
By the time Bears defenders realized what happened, LaPorta had broken free over the top of the secondary. Goff uncorked a pass from the 30-yard line and found LaPorta wide open in the end zone for a touchdown.
Another look from behind the line of scrimmage shows just how orchestrated the effort was. Gibbs rolled as he fell to the turf and immediately popped back up to block as Goff turned completely around and looked directly in LaPorta’s direction.
Coordinator Ben Johnson and his offense had clearly practiced the play to perfection.
The score extended Detroit’s lead to 34-14 to help ice the Lions win early in the third quarter. With the victory, the Lions bounced back from their second loss of the season last week against the Bills. They improved to 13-2 to ensure no worse than a first-place tie in the NFC in the race with the Eagles and Vikings for the No. 1 seed and first-round bye in the playoffs. Their 13th win of the season is a new franchise record.
The trick play was the highlight of another 30-plus point effort from a Lions offense that leads the NFL in scoring. Goff had another stellar day while completing 23 of 32 passes for 336 yards with three touchdowns and no turnovers.
A Lions team adjusting to playing without injured running back David Montgomery piled up 474 yards of total offense. Gibbs thrived in the No. 1 role with 154 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown