The Lions were facing a crucial 3rd-and-1 in the third quarter of their divisional-round playoff game when they dialed up a play that will be familiar to Detroit fans.
Ben Johnson called a play-action pass that sprung Detroit's backup tight end Brock Wright into the open field. Jared Goff found him, and the veteran was able to make the catch and take it for a first down.
However, Wright was able to do a lot more than that. He turned in a solid run after the catch, as he got around Buccaneers safety Ryan Neal with a brutal juke move.
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That allowed Wright to turn his short grab into a 29-yard gain that set the Lions up near the red zone.
Dial it up for Brock Wright on 3rd & 1.
— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2024
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Naturally, both Wright and Neal drew plenty of attention for their efforts on that play. Wright drew praise for his ability to execute the one play in the playbook that is designed for him. Meanwhile, Buccaneers fans questioned how Neal could be beaten in such a manner by Wright, who isn't exactly known for his athletic prowess.
Below is a look at some of the most notable reactions to the play, including one from former Buccaneers star Gerald McCoy.
What the heck was Ryan Neal doing? 🤬🤬🤬
— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) January 21, 2024
That’s embarrassing for Ryan Neal
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) January 21, 2024
Ryan Neal cannot get juked by a backup TE like that in the open field. That's embarrassing. #Lions in the red zone.
— Tom Krasniqi (@TKras) January 21, 2024
Ryan Neal getting his legs snatched by Brock Wright it might be over
— Carter Donnick (@CDonnick1) January 21, 2024
Brock Wright's got one play and it's a banger https://t.co/Gcn5IKt458
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) January 21, 2024
Brock Wright's juke was so slow it made the defender run past him. There's some functional lack of athleticism!
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) January 21, 2024
Brock Wright with a massive 30-yard gain and Craig Reynolds getting the goal line carry for the go-ahead touchdown.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 21, 2024
Gotta love the unpredictability of playoff football.
Wright's play proved consequential, as the Lions capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Craig Reynolds on 4th-and-goal. The Buccaneers managed to answer it
