Locker room buzz: Trick play design, Melifonwu on return, Mahogany on first start, Gibbs on workload and more
Chicago — Here’s what I learned bouncing around the Detroit Lions’ locker room following the team’s 34-17 win over the Bears.
Tripping with purpose
The unquestionable highlight from Sunday’s victory was a 21-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to tight end Sam LaPorta on the opening drive of the third quarter, where Goff appeared to stumble after taking the snap.
But the trip was intentional and all part of the plan, with running back Jahmyr Gibbs diving as if he was trying to recover a loose ball and someone shouting fumble.
The deception worked as LaPorta came wide open and Goff gathered himself and delivered a dime for his 33rd touchdown.
“That was one of (offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s) brain childs,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “It started that way, and then we massaged it and worked it. How do we make this thing better? And then just Goff and Gibby and LaPorta and the O-line making it work. We cooked it all week, and they did a heck of a job. They really did.”
According to Goff and Gibbs, the Lions ran the play approximately four times during practice this week. They called it twice during Sunday's game and waived it off the first time because the Bears gave them a defensive look that could have derailed the design.
The genesis of the call developed from an actual fumble, when Packers quarterback Jordan Love dropped a snap against the Bears before hitting an open receiver last season.