How Lions OC Ben Johnson used a failed 4th down play to set up the game-clinching drive

Ben Johnson used the Lions failed fourth down attempt to set up David Montgomery’s fourth down conversion. We break down the build-up to the game-clinching moment here:

The Detroit Lions remain one of the most aggressive teams in the NFL, and that was on full display in their 34-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 14. With the Lions turning to several deep reserves to fill key defensive roles, Detroit knew they were going to have to lean on their offense to lead them to victory.

The Lions found themselves in fourth-down situations eight times in this game. Twice they punted the ball, once they kicked a field goal, and the remaining five times they kept their offense on the field, electing to attempt to convert and extend their drive.

Of their five fourth-down attempts, the Lions scored two touchdowns: a masterful Texas Route from Jahmyr Gibbs and a Tim Patrick fake-rub button hook. But it was the progressive build on the three fourth-and-one running plays that eventually set up the game-clinching drive.

4th and 1 at DET 49-yard line, 9:05 remaining in 3rd Quarter

Set up: The Lions use three skill players bunched to the left side and put tight end Brock Wright in motion pre-snap. He works his way across the line, then doubles back, creating eye candy for the Packers linebackers to cover.

The key: The Packers have their two interior defensive linemen in a standard 1- and 3-technique formation, allowing the Lions center Frank Ragnow to fire off the snap at the nose tackle while right guard Kevin Zeitler hooks the 3T, opening the middle of the line.

Result: Jared Goff sneak for a 1-yard gain and a first down.

4th and 1 at DET 31-yard line, 1:29 remaining in 3rd Quarter

Set up: After Goff’s successful fourth-down QB sneak, the Packers add an extra defensive lineman in the A-gap (light blue box). The Lions counter with an outside stretch play to the right. Wright goes in motion pre-snap again, but this time he runs through, joining Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tim Patrick leading the blocking for Jahmyr Gibbs.

The key: Wright overshoots his block and a Packers defender slips underneath. Gibbs actually makes him miss, but the juke slows his momentum, allowing more defenders to arrive.

Result: Gibbs runs for a 1-yard loss and Lions turn the ball over on downs.

4th and 1 at GB 21-yard line, 0:43 remaining in 4th Quarter

Set up: With the Lions wanting to maintain possession through the end of the game, they attempt this fourth down play to set them up to drain the clock and set up the game-winning field goal.

“I just felt like we needed to end it on offense, and I did not want to give that ball back, and I believed we could get that,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said following the game. “I believed we could convert, and I trust that o-line, I trust David (Montgomery), and they came through for us. It’s a hell of a call by (offensive coordinator) Ben (Johnson). I knew how I wanted to play this game, the team knew it, and everything in me told me, ‘Let’s finish this,’ and so we did.”

The Lions come out in a nearly identical formation to the failed pitch play, with the only three minor variations: 1) David Montgomery was in for Gibbs, 2) Tight end Shane Zylstra is in for St. Brown and is set up as an off-set fullback, and 3) Sam LaPorta comes in pre-snap motion instead of Wright.

The key: With the previous two fourth-down runs already fresh in the Packers’ minds, they set up to both stuff the run up the middle, while also anticipating a possible pitch play outside.

Result: The Lions put LaPorta in motion and both he and Zylstra attack No. 58 (linebacker Isaiah McDuffie) who has to position himself to set the edge to guard against the pitch. Patrick dips under McDuffie and takes on safety No. 29 (Xavier McKinney), as both defensive backs work left to get outside contain.

On the line, right tackle Penei Sewell and right guard Kevin Zeitler double EDGE No. 57 at the snap, and Sewell works his way up to the second level to take out No. 7 (linebacker Quay Walker.

This sets up an alley for Montgomery to gain seven yards, secure a first down, and set up a 35-yard game-winning field goal from Jake Bates as time expires.

Ben Johnson’s ability to use previous plays—successful or not—to set up future plays, while adjusting in real time is a massive component of what makes the Lions’ offense so special.