By Moses Joshua 
How a Monday Night touchdown reignited Detroit’s lingering frustration
A Celebration That Just Won’t Stay Buried
The Detroit Lions’ primetime loss to the Philadelphia Eagles already carried enough frustration on its own, but a single moment from that game continues to echo days later. Jameson Williams, who provided Detroit’s only touchdown of the night on a 40-yard strike, also drew a costly 15-yard penalty for hopping onto the goalpost in celebration — a move that pushed back the ensuing PAT, which Jake Bates ultimately missed.
Head coach Dan Campbell made it clear right away: enjoy the moment, but don’t do that again. For a night, it seemed like the message landed.
Then Monday Night Football happened.
Pickens’ MNF Replay of Williams’ Penalty Hits a Nerve
During the Cowboys–Raiders matchup, Dallas wideout George Pickens raced 37 yards for a touchdown and immediately repeated the exact celebration Williams had been flagged for — leaping onto the goalpost.
Another 15-yard flag.
Another example of a rule players should know by heart.
And for Lions fans, another jab at a wound that wasn’t fully healed.
The NFL banned celebrations involving the goal posts in 2015 after Jimmy Graham’s 2013 dunk nearly bent the uprights out of alignment, a moment that helped cement the restriction. While Tony Gonzalez made the goalpost dunk iconic in his era, today’s NFL draws a hard line — one both Williams and Pickens crossed within 48 hours of each other.
Campbell praised Williams’ playmaking but reminded him firmly to leave the uprights alone. Pickens’ encore made the entire issue impossible for Detroit to fully move past.
Why the Penalty Matters More Than It Seems
Detroit didn’t lose on Sunday night because of a single celebration. But the missed PAT that followed cast a shadow that felt heavier as the game tightened. Had the Lions mounted a late-game comeback and found the end zone again, the earlier mistake could have meant the difference between overtime and a victory — or worse, a damaging loss in the tight NFC playoff race.
Examples across the league prove that seemingly small miscues can balloon into deciding moments. In Week 4, Green Bay had an extra point blocked and returned for two points. It seemed harmless with the Packers up 16-2, but the Cowboys clawed back, and Brandon McManus’ late field goal merely tied the game rather than winning it outright. They eventually finished in a 40-40 stalemate.
Mistakes linger. They compound. And late in the season, they can become catastrophic.
A Lesson the Lions Can’t Afford to Relearn
Williams appeared remorseful on the sideline immediately after the infraction, a positive sign that he understands its impact. Still, after Pickens revived the narrative on national television, the Lions may need to reinforce the message with even more urgency.
Detroit is entering a stretch where every point, every possession, and every decision matters. They can’t afford mental lapses that hand opponents free yardage — or potentially free points.
Williams delivered a highlight against Philadelphia. Now he has to ensure that the celebration that followed doesn’t become a recurring footnote in games the Lions can’t afford to let slip away.