Lions TD wiped out by illegal motion at Arrowhead

Kansas City, Mo. The Detroit Lions appeared to open Sunday night’s game at Arrowhead Stadium with a dramatic fourth‑and‑goal touchdown, only to have the score nullified by an illegal motion penalty after a lengthy on‑field discussion. The play, which came on the Lions’ opening possession late in the first quarter, was ruled illegal because quarterback Jared Goff did not come to a complete stop after going in motion from a T‑formation. Detroit settled for a field goal and eventually lost 30‑17 to the Kansas City Chiefs.

On fourth‑and‑goal from the 1, Goff initially lined up under center, jogged in motion to the left and a direct snap went to running back David Montgomery. Montgomery threw back to Goff, who crossed the goal line after a block by AmonRa St. Brown. Officials conferred for more than a minute before throwing a flag for illegal motion, a five‑yard penalty. The Lions were penalized 5 yards, took a delay‑of‑game two plays later, and kicker Jake Bates converted a 28‑yard field goal to make it 3‑0.

The ruling was grounded in a rarely invoked provision for T‑formation quarterbacks. A player who begins under center and then goes in motion must come to a complete stop for at...