Lions Win First Playoff Game in 32 Years with Win Over the Rams
It was a magical night in downtown Detroit, as the Detroit Lions and their fans hosted their first playoff game in 30 years and first ever at Ford Field. There was a plethora of headlines coming into the NFC Wild Card matchup between the Rams and Lions, with notably the star quarterbacks on both squads in Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff stealing the show. It was Stafford’s first game against his former team, who spent 12 seasons with the Lions, before being traded to the Rams in 2021. In the end, the Lions spoiled Stafford’s return to Detroit, as they came away with a nail-biting 24-23 victory over the Rams. Let’s take a look at how the Lions were able to put the nail in the coffin on the Rams’ season.
On their first drive of the game, the Lions grabbed a 7-0 lead to open up the scoring, following a one-yard touchdown run by running back David Montgomery. The Rams would respond on their opening drive of the evening, to cut the deficit to 7-3, after a 24-yard field goal by kicker Brett Maher. Prior to the end of the opening quarter, the Lions would extend their lead to 14-3 on a 10-yard touchdown run by running back Jahmyr Gibbs. To begin the second quarter, Stafford would connect with rookie sensation wideout, Puka Nacua, for a 50-yard deep shot touchdown pass to trim the Lions’ lead to 14-10.
The Lions would subsequently score a touchdown on their third consecutive drive of the game after tight end Sam LaPorta caught a two-yard touchdown pass to extend Detroit’s lead to 21-10. The Rams’ offense would respond once again on their next possession, which ended in a 38-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tutu Atwell, to cut the deficit to 21-17 and head into halftime. Following a Rams’ punt to begin the second half, the Lions would score on their first drive of the third quarter to extend their lead to 24-17, after a clutch 54-yard field goal by kicker Michael Badgley. The Rams would answer back on their next drive, to cut the deficit to 24-20, following a chip-shot 27-yard field goal by Maher.
To open up the fourth quarter, the Rams would squander a golden opportunity to score a go-ahead touchdown, after having the football inside the red zone of Detroit. However, the Rams had to settle for another short-range field goal, to trim the Lions’ lead to 24-23, with eight minutes left. Following back-to-back punts by both teams, the Lions would have possession with four minutes left in regulation. The Lions would successfully gain two first downs to run out the clock and seal their first playoff win in 32 years.
In the win, Goff put together a gusty playoff performance, as he finished the game going 22 for 27, with 277 passing yards and one touchdown. In his playoff debut, star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown would lead the way for Lions’ receivers, catching seven passes for 110 yards. Despite the loss, Stafford would have a remarkable game throwing the football, as he went 25 for 36, with 367 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Rams’ offense would rely heavily on Nacua throughout, as he finished the game with nine receptions for 181 receiving yards and one touchdown grab. The Lions will now await the winner of the Eagles vs Buccaneers matchup, to see who they will host next Sunday afternoon in the NFC Divisional Round.
