It is safe to say Detroit Lions fans were ready for this rematch with the Dallas Cowboys. It had been about 10 months since these two teams met in what ended with as controversial of a call as we've ever seen in the NFL.
In Week 17 of the 2023 season, Detroit would end up pulling within one point of Dallas near the end of the game. Head coach Dan Campbell decided to go for two and the win, and the Lions converted on a unique play where offensive lineman Taylor Decker caught it in the end zone.
However, referee Brad Allen called a penalty on the Lions, stating that offensive lineman Dan Skipper was the only one who reported as eligible, not Decker. Yet, replay confirmed that Decker, Skipper and even Penei Sewell all reported eligible, making this one of the worst calls Lions fans had seen.
The Lions' two-point score would be wiped away and the team would end up losing by a score of 20-19.
In what was the second-to-last game of the season, it ended up being a defining result because both the Lions and Cowboys would go on to finish with a record of 12-5. That loss was the tiebreaker between the two of them for better playoff seeding.
Fast forward to Sunday, Week 6 of the 2024 season, and Campbell was not only ready for the rematch but he was ready to send one hilarious message.
On the very first play of the game, Campbell watched as Ben Johnson's offense ran a play where one particular lineman reported as eligible.
Who was it?
You guessed it ... Skipper.
The #Lions had Dan Skipper report as eligible on their first offensive play of the game today vs. Dallas. pic.twitter.com/gG9mlQE810
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 13, 2024
Fans and media alike reacted accordingly to Dan Campbell's troll job
Dan Campbell and Lions swore all week they were not thinking about last year’s controversial ending in 20-19 loss to Dallas.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) October 13, 2024
Lions first play from scrimmage has T Dan Skipper eligible.
Oh, they had been thinking about it.
On the VERY first offensive play for the Lions today, they report #70, Dan Skipper, as an eligible receiver.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) October 13, 2024
Dan Campbell has a sense of humor.
Anybody who didn't know so already clearly hasn't seen the Applebee's commercial.
Naturally, Dan Skipper reports as eligible on the Lions' first offensive play lol
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) October 13, 2024
Would we have had it any other way?
Guess who was eligible for Detroit on 1st play?
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) October 13, 2024
That’s right. Dan Skipper.
Darn skippy!
First play from scrimmage, Dan Skipper reports as eligible. Dan Campbell trolling, huh? #Cowboys
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) October 13, 2024
Oh, you bet he is. You. Bet.
I love Dan Campbell
— Kalyn Kahler (@kalynkahler) October 13, 2024
The infamous Dan skipper reported as eligible on Detroit’s first play of their revenge tour in Dallas
Don't we all love Dan? How can you not?
The Lions played tackle Dan Skipper as a 6th OL on their first offensive play. Damn skippy they are thinking about what happened last year.
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) October 13, 2024
This could be a long game.
Judging by the first half, alone, it was a long afternoon. David Montgomery and company got off to a quick, record-breaking start.
Dan Skipper reporting was the most obvious thing of the week. Weak rent free stuff. #DallasCowboys
— Tony Catalina (@Tony_Catalina) October 13, 2024
Tony, you're just mad that deep down, inside, you can't stop laughing.