ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 26: Tom Kennedy #85 of the Detroit Lions is brought down by Deion Jones #45 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Thelen/Getty Images)
In a season finale where they have nothing to lose, the Detroit Lions reached into their bag of trick plays against the Packers.
With fourth down aggressiveness, occassional creativity and a few successful fake punts, the Detroit Lions have let it all hang out at times in Dan Campbell’s first season as head coach. For Sunday’s season finale against the Green Bay Packers, it was worth wondering if there would be anything new.
Trailing 7-0 late in the first quarter, that question was answered.
There’s a lot going on there. Jared Goff fakes a toss to wide receiver Kalif Raymond, then he hands it off to Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown then pitches to Tom Kennedy, who hits a wide open Raymond for a 75-yard score. St. Brown getting some carries in recent weeks surely had the Packers defense paying attention to him getting the ball, and set up the deception of the play play.
Lions trick play touchdown ties mark for team’s longest completion since 2015
Tom Kennedy has now tied for the Lions’ longest pass completion since 2015, with David Blough from Thanksgiving Day 2019 (a 75-yard touchdown to Kenny Golladay). It’s also the longest touchdown pass in the NFL by a wide receiver since 1992.
The Lions also set the single-season record for fourth down attempts in Sunday’s first half (40, and counting…). There may be more trick plays in store as Campbell’s squad looks to end the 2021 on an interesting, and perhaps ultimately winning, note.