Whenever you face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, notably at Arrowhead Stadium, you must come away with factors in any respect prices. Which may result in some gutsy calls, even early within the recreation, as you try to steal each possession you possibly can as a group.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell understood the project.
On the Lions’ second possession Thursday evening, the Detroit offense confronted a 4th-and-2 scenario 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. Definitely the Lions can be keen to punt the ball away on this scenario, particularly after punter Jack Fox’s first punt of the evening traveled over 60 yards, and the Lions had been in a position to drag returner Richie James to the turf contained in the 20. Proper?
Unsuitable.
As a substitute, the Lions dial up a faux 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 but it surely appeared to ignite the Lions offense. Armed with a recent 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 extensive receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown:
Dan Campbell understood the project.
Nonetheless, one thing tells us Mahomes and firm could have a solution.
