The Detroit Lions are known for throwing in a ton of trick plays into their offense. On Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers they took things to another level.
Late in the first half while trailing 21-13, the Lions pulled out a hilarious wrinkle from the playbook.
Detroit faced first-and-10 from San Francisco's 15-yard line and backup offensive lineman Dan Skipper reported as eligible. Quarterback Jared Goff snapped the ball and handed it to running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who ran up the middle for no gain. It was a pretty standard, boring play. But not if you were watching closely.
After Goff handed the ball off, he faked an end around to All-Pro offensive tackle Penei Sewell.
Yes, you read that right, the Lions ran a fake end around to a 6'5" 335-pound offensive tackle. Because of course they did.
NFL fans were loving it.
we just not gonna talk about how the Lions faked a reverse to Penei Sewell that half or what pic.twitter.com/gmeTNvA06m
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) December 31, 2024
they were just making sure that nobody’s gonna catch the real reverse in the super bowl https://t.co/8dJaJKRjfV
— 🍲 Beef Stew Fan Club 🍲 (@StewFanClub) December 31, 2024
A fake end-around to Penei Sewell pic.twitter.com/m1fht45g0q
— Ben Raven (@BenjaminSRaven) December 31, 2024
I’m sorry, but did the Lions just send Penei Sewell on a fake end around? pic.twitter.com/8EMJkrvcj4
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) December 31, 2024
I didn’t notice this live 😂 https://t.co/TC9qmJtGMd
— Cool Uncle Cam (@_CrispyyCam) December 31, 2024
To quote @DannyBKelly — Detroit is the most aesthetically pleasing team https://t.co/klZaai9WvP
— Danny Heifetz (@Danny_Heifetz) December 31, 2024
We can talk about how he woulda housed that thing lol https://t.co/HBHIj20m6W
— Brandon T (@btrue_927) December 31, 2024
Think Ben Johnson will figure out a way to get an offensive linemen to pass for a TD to another offensive lineman?
— Dave Reimink (@DaveReimink) December 31, 2024
In the end, the Lions might want to have that one back. Their previous trick play on Monday night was a huge success, plus Sewell had a ton of green grass in front of him and the possession ended with them turning it over on downs.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Fans Couldn't Believe the Latest Wrinkle in the Lions Trick Play Arsenal.