It often looked like the vintage Tecmo Super Bowl video game when the Detroit Lions had the ball. The New York Jets defense was perfectly calling the right play to stop the Lions offensive call, no matter what.

It turns out they really might have had that cheat code. According to Dan Wetzel of Yahoo!, the Jets had no problem figuring out what was coming based on familiar cues and clues from the Detroit alignment and package.

A number of Jets defenders said they knew what plays the Lions were going to run based on formation and Stafford hand signals. Allowed them to jump routes, get five picks. — Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) September 11, 2018

It’s something many, myself included, pointed out during the game. Lions preseason color commentator, and former Lions LB, Chris Spielman talked about extensively in the preseason finale as well.

Jets are readily identifying run or pass well before snap based on RB alignment and personnel package. This has been a JBC issue for far too long. — Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) September 11, 2018

Jets LB Darron Lee later admitted they knew it in his postgame talk with reporters, too.

Darron Lee (two INTs) said the defense knew Stafford’s signals and were calling out the plays before the snap. #Jets — Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) September 11, 2018

For that to happen in a season opener is completely inexcusable on the part of the Lions coaching staff.