The Chargers’ offense struggled throughout most of Week 12’s game against the Ravens on Sunday Night Football, prompting offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to turn to some trickery with his play calling.
In a third-and-17 situation, Moore called for an unexpected and clever trick play that featured a back pass from Keenan Allen to Austin Ekeler, on which the offense was able to pick up the first down and keep the drive alive.
After catching a pass from Justin Herbert in the middle of the field, beyond the line of scrimmage, Allen pulled up and threw a backward pass to Ekeler along the sideline.
Ekeler had plenty of room to run, and he was narrowly able to pick up the first down.
Keenan Allen with a backward pass to Ekeler who converts the first-down! pic.twitter.com/Dd9T8jppmc
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 27, 2023
The Chargers’ offense had not been able to get anything going prior to that point, but Moore’s well-devised trickery was able to secure some much-needed yardage for Los Angeles.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh challenged the play, but officials confirmed that everything was in order for a legal trick play and successful first down.
