What an opening drive for the Detroit Lions in Kansas City! And it ended, as it often does these days in the NFL, with some officiating controversy.
The Lions drove the ball 70 yards in 15 plays, eating up 9:39 off the clock after the opening kickoff. And it appeared the Lions capped it off with a spectacular 4th-and-goal conversion with a pass from RB David Montgomery to QB Jared Goff.
The officials on the field ruled it a touchdown. The NBC broadcast was prepped to go to commercial as Jake Bates trotted on to kick the extra point. But then the officials held a powwow and determined that Goff was guilty of illegal motion on the play–immediately after the NBC rules analyst had declared that the play was not reviewable.
Understandably, Detroit fans went ballistic on social media. Here are some of the more family-friendly reactions:
I can not believe this is not a TD
— Honolulu Blues (@HonoluluBlues_) October 13, 2025
I don’t think I understand motion rules anymore.
— Max Gerber (@maxgerbs) October 13, 2025
It doesn’t really matter if the play was completed and no penalty was called. That was the case. The New York called and Roger Goodell ordered that the call be changed.
— Mike Bara (@MikeBara333) October 13, 2025
I’m sure that rule is technically correct but still feel like the Lions got screwed
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) October 13, 2025
After further discussion these refs suck in KC.
— HUGE (@Hugeshow) October 13, 2025
Detroit Lions might of just had the greatest play-call that didn’t count ever.
— Jeff Iafrate (@jeffiafrate) October 13, 2025
Play not reviewable but…
After “discussion” no TD.
What a weird end to a great drive. 🤦🏻♂️
— Logan Lamorandier (@LLamorandier) October 13, 2025
You know what you’re going up against when you play in Kansas City… we can’t say we’re shocked right? 🤷♂️ #OnePride
— Neal Ruhl (@nealruhl) October 13, 2025
How do you call a penalty that late? Absolute BS
— Jeff Schmidt (@Schmidtalking) October 13, 2025
hell of a time for the lions to have their annual rules symposium
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) October 13, 2025
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: The officials take a Lions TD away and fans are not happy about it
