By Sunday 
Sunday Night Football kicked off with what looked like a dream start for the Detroit Lions. The team drove down the field with precision, mixing strong runs and accurate passes from Jared Goff. And then came the play everyone’s still talking about—a trick play that should have ended in a touchdown.
The Play That Got Everyone Talking
On fourth and goal, Goff motioned out, and the ball was snapped directly to David Montgomery. Montgomery tossed it back to Goff, who bobbled it for a second but regained control and crossed the goal line. Fans erupted—only to see their cheers cut short. The touchdown was called back.
Why? According to officials, Goff’s motion was illegal. That left the Lions kicking a field goal instead. For viewers at home, it was confusing. For the players—and Goff himself—it was downright baffling.
“Yeah, I got to do a little…research on what exactly went wrong,” Goff said after the game. “My hands were not under center, and I was set to begin the play. As far as I was concerned, I thought that was the only thing I needed to do.”
Mixed Messages from the Sidelines
Head coach Dan Campbell gave a slightly different explanation, saying the call came from New York because “he never stopped. He stayed in motion. He can’t stay in motion.” Meanwhile, officials later clarified that the call was actually internal—they “pieced together” what happened on the field.
So who’s right? Both sides, in a way. Goff’s positioning and motion created a gray area that left everyone scratching their heads.
Did It Really Matter?
Campbell believes the play had little effect on the outcome. But momentum matters in football, and that nullified touchdown, combined with other questionable calls, seemed to shake the Lions mentally. The Chiefs went on to win 30-17, leaving Detroit fans and players alike frustrated.
In the end, it wasn’t just a bad call—it was a perfect storm of confusion, rules interpretation, and miscommunication. And it’s a reminder that in the NFL, sometimes even a clever trick play can end in chaos.