Posted on by

Your Call: Are trick plays acceptable in a blowout?

Your Call: Are trick plays acceptable in a blowout?

What’s more fun than questioning NFL coaches? Nothing, that’s something. So let’s do it every week, right here. We start with a question of overtime strategy: keep driving or kick for victory?

Detroit was in the process of thoroughly defeating Dallas 37-9. In the final seconds of the third quarter, Lions quarterback Jared Goff threw a pass to the right that was intercepted by Amon-Ra St. Brown, who promptly passed it sideways to Penei Sewell. Sewell had vacated his spot on the offensive line to take the field around the Cowboys’ 10-yard line and then charged toward the end zone, continuing the victory over an already broken Cowboys team.

So…should Detroit have pulled a trick when they had clearly already won the game, or was this poor sportsmanship on the part of the Lions? Your call.

If you have humiliated your opponent, why are you dancing on his grave? There’s such a thing as sportsmanship and silly plays to get an offensive lineman a touchdown that’s far from it. Win like a gentleman, lose like a gentleman, treat your opponent with the same respect you would expect from them.

The easiest way to stop your opponent from trying to trick you in a blowout is to not let them throw you out in the first place. There is no reward for sportsmanship; You don’t get extra points for streamlining your game plan. A play made in October could lead to a big win in January (or February if the Lions dare to hope). This is football, not golf; Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, and when feelings get hurt, do it hard.

In the end, the “touchdown” didn’t count. It appeared as if Sewell’s elbow hit the ground before he got to the score, but a flag waved before he even began his dive. Detroit was flagged for an ineligible player downfield and the entire game was voided. Three plays later, Detroit went for a field goal, extending the Lions’ lead to 40-9. Sewell didn’t have another chance to touch the ball.

Non-existent. Detroit added another touchdown and won 47-9 in an absolute blowout. After this brawl, Dallas has much bigger problems to worry about than Detroit, which is doing a little trickery to throw some love at a franchise star.

After the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell showed no remorse when he revealed the rules of the game against the Cowboys. “Our job is to come up with something more creative every week and find a way to continue to push the boundaries here,” he said. “And now it’s, ‘Let’s find something else.'”

So beware, future Lions opponents – if you get ripped to pieces, you won’t be saved.

Now let’s hear your thoughts in the comments. Trickery or real football? Your call.