FIRST DOWN: THE FAKE STUMBLE
It was a play Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson initially talked about implementing into Sunday's play sheet early last week that called for quarterback Jared Goff to fake fumble the ball on purpose, running back Jahmyr Gibbs to fake dive on the ball, Goff to hold on to the ball and throw it to what they expected to be a wide-open Sam LaPorta for a touchdown.
"We did work on it all week. We ran it three or four times during the week," Goff said after Sunday's 34-17 win over the Chicago Bears. "At first it started on Monday with Ben asking me if he thought I could actually fumble on purpose and actually pick it back up. I said, 'I don't know about that?'
"We kind of got off that pretty quickly and just pretend we're falling and I'm fumbling but I'm holding onto the ball. I think the part with Gibbs where he dives really sells the play. It worked like a charm."
The fake stumble/fumble froze the Bears' defense and certainly fooled the Soldier Field crowd as they gasped as Goff fake-stumbled after getting the snap. He stood back up and turned around to find LaPorta wide open for what turned into a 21-yard touchdown to give the Lions a 34-14 third-quarter lead.
"Ben, that was one of his brain child's," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. "It started that way and we massaged it and worked it. How do we make this thing better? Just Goff, Gibby, LaPorta, the offensive line making it work. We cooked it all week and they did a heck of a job."
Campbell said those are the kinds of plays that make it fun when they work because everyone is invested in it all week. He said it was fun, different and fundamentally sound, which to him are the best trick plays.
"It was just great to see," Campbell said. "Better than practice."
SECOND DOWN: JAMO'S BIG DAY
To say that Campbell and wide receiver Jameson Williams had a spirited conversation along the sideline after an early unsportsmanlike penalty on Williams Sunday would be a bit of an understatement.
Campbell said he told Williams he just can't give teams a free ride with a penalty like that, and Campbell said Williams agreed.
They got that talk out of the way and got back on the field. Williams' speed and playmaking ability took over from there.
The third-year wide receiver led the Lions with 143 receiving yards on five receptions, including an 82-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Like the LaPorta play, Campbell said it looked good in practice but was even better in the game. The long touchdown was the fourth reception of 50-or-more yards this season for Williams.
"It was a hell of a throw. Excellent protection. Just a great job on his part, man, hitting his landmark with speed and trusting it, great catch. It's big time," Campbell said.
Campbell said Williams had a great week of practice and he is expecting more of the same from him down the stretch and into the playoffs.
THIRD DOWN: GOFF'S PERFORMANCE
Another week and another terrific performance from Goff. It's getting to a point where this is just the expectation every week now.
He completed 23-of-32 passes for 336 yards with three touchdowns and no turnovers for a 137.0 passer rating as he continues to stack up terrific performances in what's become an MVP-worthy season for the nine-year veteran.
He's now produced a passer rating of at least 100.0 in 11 games this year, establishing a new single-season franchise record. He also set a single-season career record by reaching 33 passing touchdowns with scoring strikes to LaPorta, Williams and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Goff has been the driving force behind a Lions' offense that scored 30-plus points for the third straight game as they set a new franchise record with 493 points on the season with two games still to play. The previous record was 474 points set in 2011.
Goff is simply playing the best football of his career and it's so fun to watch.
FOURTH DOWN: WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT
Just moments after Campbell entered the media room at Soldier Field for his postgame press conference, there was a loud eruption from the players in the adjoining locker room after the Washington Commanders scored a late touchdown to beat Philadelphia and drop the Eagles to 12-3 on the season, one game back from Detroit for the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC.
"Why don't we just sit here and wait for this," Campbell said with a smile after hearing the roar from the locker room and realizing what was happening.
Sunday's win not only keeps Detroit atop the NFC and NFC North, but the 13 wins establish a new single-season franchise record. It was also Detroit's seventh road win this season in seven tries, also a new record as they remain the only team in the NFL this season who hasn't lost on the road.
"I do know it's exciting to be where we're at," Campbell said. "It really is. This, to me, is why you want to coach and play in this league. This is when your eyes get open. When competition is at its highest, people are breathing down your neck ... and you're at the top. It just doesn't get any better than this. This is what it's all about."
