Khalil Dorsey Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Lions' LB and CB team up to convert fake punt vs. Cowboys

Searching for a shift in momentum, an early gamble by the Detroit Lions paid off in Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys. 

After failing to convert on 3rd and two from their own 28-yard line, the Lions unsurprisingly lined up to punt. However, it was all a ruse as linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin secured a direct snap before finding cornerback Khalil Dorsey for a 31-yard gain and a fresh set of downs.  

Unfortunately for the Lions, the trickery didn't result in points on the scoreboard. 

Initially, the successful fake punt seemed to breathe life into the Lions offense as afterward, chunk plays from running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown helped lead Detroit into the red zone. However, the Cowboys defense hung tough, ultimately snuffing out a fourth-down pass from quarterback Jared Goff from the Dallas five-yard line to finally put the Lions' drive to an end. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Athletics place lefty on 15-day IL, transfer infielder to 60-day
Rafael Nadal switches gears, gives major update on French Open status
Atlanta to be first race of NASCAR's In-Season Tournament
West Point alum made history in his MLB debut with Reds
Heat legend cautions Lakers against hiring JJ Redick
Welcome to the WNBA: Caitlin Clark sets infamous record in debut
Jalen Brunson leads Knicks to blowout win in Game 5 vs. Pacers
Nikola Jokic torches DPOY to lead Nuggets past Wolves in Game 5
Oilers use late heroics to tie Canucks at two games each
Watch: Astros pitcher ejected after foreign substance check
Kirk Cousins not angry with Falcons because winning is 'hard enough'
Bronny James has surprising comments on potentially teaming up with LeBron
Bills add two-time Super Bowl champ to new-look WR room
Brewers lose team-leading home run hitter to injured list
Sandy Alderson denies involvement in Mets, Billy Eppler IL controversy
Twins reliever shut down for six weeks with patellar tendon tear
Chris Finch throws shade at Nuggets star over Rudy Gobert’s fine
Cardinals head coach warns not to bet against Kyler Murray
Details emerge on Jason Kelce’s role at ESPN
Rangers defenseman wins Mark Messier Leadership Award