The Detroit Lions Execute a Fake Fumble Trick Play Against the Bears: A Touchdown for Sam LaPorta
In the high-stakes world of the NFL, trick plays are a rare yet exhilarating spectacle that teams often reserve for moments where they need to turn the tide of a game or showcase their creative ingenuity. One such moment occurred during the Detroit Lions’ matchup against the Chicago Bears, when the Lions executed a daring fake fumble trick play that culminated in a spectacular touchdown for rookie tight end Sam LaPorta. This play would not only go down as a memorable moment in Lions’ history but also serve as a testament to the offensive ingenuity and strategy that head coach Dan Campbell and his staff have brought to Detroit’s offensive scheme.
The Build-Up to the Play
The game between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears was already filled with tension and excitement as both teams sought to either cement their position in the playoff hunt or continue building momentum for the future. For the Lions, a victory over their NFC North rivals was crucial to keeping pace in a division that was tightening up with every week. The game had seen its fair share of traditional football plays — powerful runs, precise passes, and formidable defenses. But as the game progressed, it became clear that the Lions’ offense had something special up their sleeves.
Leading the charge for the Lions was quarterback Jared Goff, who had been playing solid football all season, distributing the ball effectively to a variety of receivers. However, against a stubborn Bears defense, it was clear that they needed something unexpected to break the deadlock. That’s where the trick play came in — a fake fumble play that would completely deceive the Bears and set up a wide-open touchdown for rookie tight end Sam LaPorta.
The Setup: The Fake Fumble
It all started with the Lions lining up for what appeared to be a standard running play. Goff stood behind center, the ball was snapped to him, and running back David Montgomery took the handoff. The Bears defense, anticipating a typical power run, shifted into their usual defensive alignment, ready to stop the ball carrier. What they didn’t know, however, was that this was all part of an elaborate ruse designed to catch them off guard.
As Montgomery ran to the right side, he feigned a stumble, letting the ball slip from his hands — or at least that’s what the Bears thought. The ball rolled a few yards toward the sideline, and the defense immediately sprang into action. The defensive linemen and linebackers rushed toward the loose ball, believing they had just caused a fumble. The Bears defenders acted instinctively, diving toward the ball, eager to recover it and shift the momentum in their favor.
However, what the Bears didn’t realize was that this was a carefully orchestrated trick. While the Bears defense swarmed the apparent fumble, Goff, the quarterback, calmly picked up the ball, tucked it away, and began his sprint toward the end zone. LaPorta, who had been lined up as a blocker on the left side, had already started to leak out into the flat, acting as if he were part of the blocking scheme for Montgomery.
At this moment, LaPorta became the key to the play. His athleticism, combined with his awareness of the situation, allowed him to make a seamless transition from blocker to receiver. As Goff maneuvered out of the pocket, he scanned the field and noticed that LaPorta was wide open with no defenders in sight. With a quick flick of the wrist, Goff delivered a perfect pass to LaPorta, who caught the ball in stride and sprinted the final 15 yards into the end zone for a touchdown.
Breaking Down the Trick Play
The success of the play can be attributed to several key elements: deception, timing, and execution. First and foremost, the play relied on the complete deception of the Bears’ defense. The fake fumble was expertly timed, with Montgomery’s stumble looking convincing enough to make the defenders believe they had forced a turnover. This moment of hesitation by the defense was all the Lions needed to create a window of opportunity.
The next critical element was the timing between Goff and LaPorta. For the play to work, LaPorta had to sell the idea that he was part of the blocking scheme and not a potential target in the passing game. His initial movement, staying engaged as if blocking Montgomery, kept the Bears defenders focused on the run, allowing him to break free without drawing attention. Goff, whose ability to stay calm under pressure is one of his defining traits, was able to execute the fake fumble and find LaPorta without hesitation.
The final piece of the puzzle was LaPorta’s ability to execute once the ball was in his hands. A rookie tight end who had been showing flashes of brilliance all season, LaPorta demonstrated his athleticism and playmaking ability by turning a simple catch into a 15-yard touchdown. His speed and agility were on full display as he turned upfield, making a beeline for the end zone while the Bears defenders were still scrambling to realize they had been duped.
Sam LaPorta: The Hero of the Play
For Sam LaPorta, the touchdown was not only a testament to his skill as a player but also a reflection of his strong understanding of the game. As a rookie, LaPorta had already established himself as a reliable target for Jared Goff, but this play marked a defining moment in his early career. Scoring a touchdown off a trick play like this highlighted his versatility as both a blocker and a receiver — a vital asset in any tight end’s skill set.
LaPorta’s ability to maintain focus during the play was impressive. While the ball may have seemed like an afterthought to the Bears defenders, LaPorta’s instincts kicked in when he saw the opening and took full advantage of the opportunity. His celebration after the touchdown was a mixture of excitement and disbelief — after all, it’s not every day that a rookie tight end scores a touchdown off a trick play that baffles an entire defense.
The Impact on the Game
The Lions’ fake fumble trick play did more than just put points on the board. It served as a momentum-shifting moment that energized the entire team. After the touchdown, the Lions’ offense seemed to find an extra burst of energy, and the defense fed off that enthusiasm. The trick play also put the Bears on notice — Detroit was playing with creativity and confidence, something that could not be overlooked as the game progressed.
From a strategic standpoint, the fake fumble was a well-timed move that caught the Bears off guard. At that point in the game, the Bears’ defense had been solid, but they were not expecting anything out of the ordinary. The play called into question their preparation and ability to read the game, as it exposed the vulnerability of overcommitting to a presumed fumble.
A Legacy Play for Dan Campbell’s Lions
For head coach Dan Campbell, this trick play was a prime example of the aggressive, risk-taking mentality that has become synonymous with his tenure in Detroit. Campbell is known for his unorthodox approach to coaching, often opting for bold decisions in high-pressure moments. This fake fumble play was just another illustration of his belief in trusting his players and trusting the process, even when the conventional route seems like the safer option.
This play would go on to be a highlight not only for the Lions but for Campbell as well, further solidifying his reputation as a coach willing to go above and beyond to ensure his team’s success. The risk paid off, as it helped the Lions build an insurmountable lead over the Bears and ultimately secure a vital victory.
