Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Lions lose touchdown on illegal motion by Jared Goff

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Oct 13, 2025 9:07 AM ET

The Detroit Lions appeared to have scored a touchdown early in their game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night in Week 6, but the score got wiped out by a penalty.

The Lions had a 4th-and-goal situation inside the Kansas City 1-yard line. Quarterback Jared Goff lined up under center, with David Montgomery about five yards behind him. Goff then left his spot and went into motion to the left. Montgomery lifted his leg to call for the snap. Montgomery received the snap and then threw to Goff on the left. Goff bobbled the ball but was able to hold on for a touchdown.

Jared Goff catches a touchdown pass from David Montgomery pic.twitter.com/fWK6zdMECz
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) October 13, 2025

The play initially was called a touchdown, but the officials conferred and later threw a penalty flag and called it illegal motion.

NBC rules official Terry McAulay immediately told the game’s viewers that Goff had committed a violation. According to McAulay, Goff needed to step back and establish himself as a back before going into motion, or he would have had to pause after going in motion before the ball was snapped. Goff did neither, which made it illegal motion.

The Lions ended up kicking a field goal to end their possession. Detroit is very creative offensively and often teeters on the borderline of legality for their plays. They were close to getting it right on that play.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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