Lions’ Dan Campbell Makes Admission About Ill-Fated Trick Play vs. Cowboys

The Detroit coach explained the thought process behind the pivotal two-point conversion attempt.

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Monday that his team did in fact try to dupe the Dallas Cowboys during their trick play in the game’s final moments that was controversially called back.

The Lions coach elected to go for a two-point conversion and the win on Saturday with his team trailing 20–19 in the game’s final seconds, and it appeared as if Detroit had taken the lead after Jared Goff completed a pass to offensive tackle Taylor Decker (No. 68).

However, officials wiped the play away and said Decker never reported as eligible—something Campbell, Goff and Decker all deny. Dallas held on to win the game, thanks in part to the call.

Every party for Detroit maintained that Decker did report as eligible, and numerous TV angles appeared to capture Decker attempting to report when several offensive lineman approached the official. But Campbell said the officials told him they recognized offensive tackle Dan Skipper (No. 70) reporting. 

“It’s about eligibility,” Campbell told reporters. “That’s what it’s about. And it has nothing to do with the ref. The ref knows. He knows. Because 68 reported. It’s for the defense, so that they see three different people. And you’re just hoping they happen to not hear that it’s 70 [who isn’t eligible]. That’s all.”

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell speaks to reporters following Saturday night’s 20–19 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium :: Michael Ainsworth/AP

If what Campbell says is true, the officiating crew is the party that was duped. Campbell sent several offensive lineman toward the referee so that it wouldn’t be obvious who was eligible, but officials maintained that Decker never reported.