Kyle Shahanan Went Deep in His Bag for a TD After Seeing Lions Run the Same Trick Play

The 49ers called the same trick play that the Lions scored with earlier in the day.

The 49ers had a little help from the Lions in their big win over the Cowboys on Sunday night. 

San Francisco ran circles around Dallas in a 42–10 victory, as George Kittle caught three touchdown passes from Brock Purdy to lead the Niners to their fifth victory. Kittle and Purdy’s second connection was the most highlight-worthy of the three, with coach Kyle Shanahan dialing up a nifty trick play that left the Dallas defense completely flummoxed. 

Purdy tossed the ball to running back Christian McCaffrey, who ran right and pitched it to Deebo Samuel as the receiver circled into the backfield. Samuel then pitched it back to Purdy, who was easily able to connect with a wide-open Kittle. The tight end was able to out-race cornerback Jourdan Lewis and reach the end zone. 

PURDY TO KITTLE AGAIN ON THE TRICKERY 💯

📺: #DALvsSF on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/gzzkvIRUdj pic.twitter.com/U8WTkL64Ly

— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2023

If the play looked familiar, it’s because the Lions ran an identical play for a touchdown earlier in the day in their win over the Panthers. 

Same play, different @HawkeyeFootball TE scoring a TD. @gkittle46

📺: #DALvsSF on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/gzzkvIRUdj pic.twitter.com/w6BBJ6FDRJ

— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2023

It was no coincidence that Shanahan called the play hours after it worked so perfectly for Detroit. 

“Detroit ran it earlier in the day, they scored,” Shanahan said, according to Pro Football Talk. “I saw it before the game. Based off what we were going against today we planned on calling it, but definitely, seeing it work for someone else gives you more confidence.”

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Shanahan said the Niners call the play “toss 18 flea flicker” and have had it in the playbook for “a couple years.”