What’s more fun than having doubts from NFL coaches? Nothing, that’s what. So let’s do it here every week. We start with a matter of overtime strategy: keep riding or pedal for victory?

The scenario

Detroit was thoroughly outscoring Dallas, 37-9. In the waning seconds of the third quarter, Lions QB Jared Goff threw a pass to the right that was caught by Amon-Ra St. Brown, who promptly lateraled it to right tackle Penei Sewell. Sewell had left his spot on the offensive line to take the field around the Cowboys’ 10-yard line and then charged toward the end zone, continuing the rout of an already broken Cowboys team.

So… should Detroit have pulled a trick when they had clearly already won the game, or was this poor sportsmanship on the Lions’ part? Your call.

The plea for ‘playing the game the right way’

If you have humiliated your opponent, why dance on his grave? There is such a thing as good sportsmanship, and making crazy plays to give an offensive lineman a garbage touchdown is a far cry from that. Win like gentlemen, lose like gentlemen, treat your opponent with the same respect you would want from him.

A plea for deception

The easiest way to prevent your opponent from performing tricks on you during a blowout is to not let him blow you out in the first place. There is no scoreboard reward for sportsmanship; you don’t get extra points for tightening up your script. A move made in October could pay off big in January (or February, if the Lions dare hope). This is football, not golf; take advantage of every opportunity available to you, and when feelings get hurt, it’s hard.

The result

The ‘touchdown’ ultimately didn’t count. Sewell’s elbow appeared to hit the ground before he came in for the score, but a flag flew before he even started his dive. Detroit was flagged for an ineligible player on the field, and the entire game was voided. Three plays later, Detroit opted for a field goal, extending the Lion lead to 40-9. Sewell didn’t get a second chance to touch the ball.

Effect on the outcome of the game

Non-existent. Detroit would add another touchdown and win 47-9 in an absolute blowout. After that skull dragging, Dallas has much bigger issues to worry about than Detroit cheating a little to give some love to a stalwart franchise.

After the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell was unrepentant about opening up the playbook against the Cowboys. “Our job is to come up with something more creative every week and find a way to keep pushing the boundaries here,” he said. “And now it’s, ‘Let’s find something else.'”

So take note, future Lions opponents: being torn apart won’t save you.

Now let us hear your thoughts in the comments. Trickering or good football? Your call.