'Gimmicky' trick play leads to Jameson Williams INT to crush Lions season vs Commanders

‘Gimmicky’ trick play leads to Jameson Williams INT to crush Lions season vs Commanders

Posted by author January 19, 2025 Sports

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Desperate times call for desperate measures — but when those measures don’t pay off, it can get ugly.

Trailing by 10 in the fourth quarter, the Detroit Lions drew up a trick play for wide receiver Jameson Williams to throw a pass downfield. But the play was well covered by the Washington Commanders, and Williams, instead of tucking the ball and running, attempted to throw downfield to running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

It was intercepted by Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil of Michigan football lore. Washington immediately drove down the field to take a 45-28 lead, converting on a fourth down in the red zone. Detroit would add a field goal, but the Commanders would leave Ford Field with a 45-31 win, ending the Lions season.

Fox broadcaster Tom Brady called the play “gimmicky.”

“At this point, Williams trying to make a decision … not a great time for a trick play,” Brady said.

The play call by Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was skewered on social media. Johnson is a leading head coach candidate after pulling his name the past two years after being viewed as a favorite to go to the Commanders last season and to Carolina in 2023.

In the regular season, Detroit finished a franchise-best 15-2 and clinched its first ever No. 1-seed in the NFC. The defeat against Washington put an end to the franchise’s hopes for a first-ever Super Bowl, at least for another year.

Here’s how people reacted to the ill-fated trick play, and the Lions season thudding to an unceremonious end.