Lions HC Dan Campbell’s gutsy fake punt ignites the NFL’s first TD of the season

If you face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, significantly at Arrowhead Stadium, you realize you need to come away with factors in any respect prices. That may result in some gutsy calls, even early within the recreation, as you attempt to steal each possession you’ll be able to as a group.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell understood the project.

On the Lions’ second possession Thursday night time, the Detroit offense confronted a 4th-and-2 state of affairs at their very own 17-yard line. With simply over 9 minutes left within the first quarter, and the rating knotted at 0-0, Campbell despatched his punt group on the sphere. Actually the Lions could be prepared to punt the ball away on this state of affairs, particularly after punter Jack Fox’s first punt of the night time traveled over 60 yards, and the Lions have been in a position to drag returner Richie James to the turf contained in the 20. Proper?

Flawed.

As a substitute, the Lions dial up a pretend punt, utilizing a direct snap to Jalen Reeves-Maybin, one of many upbacks. The linebacker places his head down and will get simply sufficient, extending the drive for Detroit:

The aggressive name paid off, not simply by extending the drive however it appeared to ignite the Lions offense. Armed with a contemporary set of downs Detroit marched down the sphere, capping off the 91-yard drive with the primary landing of the 2023 NFL season, a scoring strike from Jared Goff to huge receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown:

Dan Campbell understood the project.

Nevertheless, one thing tells us Mahomes and firm may have a solution.