Khalil Dorsey Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

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

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Dec 30, 2023 9:51 PM ET

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.

FAKE PUNT! This game is wildin'

: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/urKeZaIvCL pic.twitter.com/nOSMTaCC2G
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023

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.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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