The Detroit Lions suffered a tough NFC loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, and even their lone touchdown came with an unwelcome twist. Wide receiver Jameson Williams scored Detroit’s only touchdown on a 40-yard strike in the second quarter, but the celebration that followed proved costly. Williams jumped onto the goal post, earning a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty.
That flag directly contributed to the Lions missing the extra point, as Jake Bates’ PAT attempt from the longer distance sailed wide. Detroit tried to move on from the misstep, with head coach Dan Campbell praising Williams’ effort but warning him not to repeat the move.
However, the issue resurfaced almost immediately when the Cowboys took the field on Monday Night Football.
George Pickens Rekindles the Lions’ Celebration Debate
During the Dallas Cowboys–Las Vegas Raiders matchup, Dallas receiver George Pickens broke free for a 37-yard touchdown—and then mimicked Williams’s exact celebration, leaping onto the goalpost. He was hit with the same 15-yard penalty, effectively re-opening the controversy for Lions fans who thought the matter was settled.
The goalpost rule isn’t new. The NFL banned using the uprights as props back in 2015 after repeated issues, including Jimmy Graham’s famous 2013 dunk that actually bent the crossbar and delayed the game. Even though that rule has been on the books for more than a decade, both Williams and Pickens managed to violate it within 48 hours.
Campbell had emphasized that while he loved the touchdown, the celebration couldn’t happen again. Pickens’ penalty the next night made the original incident feel even more unnecessary and avoidable.
The Impact Could Have Been Worse for Detroit
Williams’s celebration didn’t cost the Lions the game, but in a tighter matchup it could have had serious consequences. Had Detroit managed to score a late touchdown and tie things up, that missed extra point would have loomed extremely large—potentially shifting the game toward overtime and creating an entirely different outcome.
The situation mirrors an incident involving the Green Bay Packers earlier this season. In Week 4, Green Bay had a PAT blocked and returned for two points while leading 16-2. The Cowboys mounted a comeback, and by the time Brandon McManus hit what could’ve been a game-winning field goal, it only tied the contest. The game ended as a 40-40 draw, showing how a single point can drastically reshape the result.
Williams Must Keep the Lesson in Mind
As the games grow more meaningful, Detroit can’t afford avoidable mistakes. Williams appeared remorseful on the sidelines Sunday night, suggesting he understood the magnitude of the error. Still, after Pickens repeated the same infraction on Monday, it’s clear the Lions may need to reinforce the message.
With the playoff race tightening, Detroit needs every point—and every player—to stay locked in.
