The Detroit Lions have never shied away from being creative on the gridiron under OC Ben Johnson. Their trick play during Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals may be the team’s best work yet.
With 36 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Johnson dug deep into his bag, calling for a hook-and-ladder play, which Detroit executed perfectly.
Lions QB Jared Goff completed a one-yard pass to wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, who immediately pitched the ball to RB Jahmyr Gibbs, who sprinted into the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown.
The score and subsequent extra point made by kicker Jake Bates gave Detroit a 20-7 lead over the Cardinals.
This wasn’t the first time Detroit ran a hook and ladder with Johnson serving as the team’s play-caller, but it was undoubtedly the most successful attempt. In Week 18 of the 2022 season, Goff threw a screen pass to St. Brown, who then pitched the ball to former Lions RB D’Andre Swift for a 14-yard gain to help Detroit clinch a 20-16 over the Packers.
It’s also worth noting that Gibbs’ touchdown came shortly after officials waved off a potential defensive touchdown for Arizona in Sunday’s game. Just four plays earlier, it appeared Cardinals LB Mack Wilson intercepted a Goff pass that led to a touchdown. However, the officials determined that the two-minute warning had come just before the Lions snapped the ball, even though the broadcast’s game clock showed otherwise.
