The Detroit Lions showcased an innovative and entertaining play on Sunday, aptly named the “stumblebum.” This creative play originated from a game last year where Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love fumbled the snap against the Chicago Bears but managed to recover it and launch a deep pass. The chaos of the fumble pulled linebackers out of position, leaving a receiver wide open for a big gain.

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson saw potential in that scenario and developed the “stumblebum” play, tailoring it specifically to exploit similar defensive reactions. On Sunday, the Lions executed it to perfection against the Bears, resulting in a touchdown and adding another highlight to their impressive offensive repertoire.

While many fans and analysts lauded the ingenuity of the play, it wasn’t without its detractors. Some critics questioned why the Lions were deploying such a unique trick play in a relatively low-stakes game instead of saving it for the playoffs. The implication was that the Lions might be wasting their “bag of tricks” too early in the season.

Detroit’s head coach Dan Campbell addressed this criticism during an appearance on 97.1 The Ticket on Christmas Eve morning, offering a straightforward and compelling defense of the decision.

“There are these plays you come up with because you see something you like against that opponent,” Campbell explained. “You know for this week, the conditions are absolutely perfect. That’s why you put them in the game plan. If you have the opportunity to call them, you’ve got to call them, because there’s no guarantee it’ll work next week. You don’t hold anything back if it’s meant for that opponent. You’ve got to find a way to use it.”

Campbell’s explanation highlighted the thoughtfulness and situational awareness behind the decision. The “stumblebum” wasn’t a generic trick play designed to surprise any defense; it was tailor-made to exploit a weakness specific to the Bears’ defense. Holding it back for a hypothetical future game would have been impractical and potentially wasted its impact.

The Lions’ bag of tricks, however, is far from empty. Campbell assured fans and skeptics alike that the team has a wealth of creative plays ready to deploy when the time is right. He also noted that there are often plays in the game plan that simply don’t get called due to the flow of the game, leaving plenty of unused tools in their arsenal.

Furthermore, Campbell and his coaching staff have shown they’re capable of crafting fresh ideas week by week. The “stumblebum” wasn’t a long-standing play they’d been saving—it was conceived, installed, and perfected in just the past week. With that level of creativity and adaptability, the Lions can continuously evolve their playbook as the season and playoffs progress.

As for critics who lack context, Campbell’s remarks subtly addressed the challenges of national commentary. “The talking heads,” as he referred to them, often juggle coverage of all 32 NFL teams. This makes it difficult for them to fully understand the nuances and specific strategies of any single team, leading to oversimplified or misinformed takes.

Ultimately, the Lions’ ability to execute plays like the “stumblebum” is a testament to their innovative coaching staff, disciplined preparation, and confidence in their roster. The play wasn’t just a touchdown; it was a statement that Detroit is willing to take calculated risks, embrace creativity, and adapt to each opponent’s unique challenges. As the season continues, fans can expect more moments of brilliance from this exciting Lions squad.