Photo: Kimberly P. Mitchell ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
DETROIT, September 9, 2024 ~ After defeating Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of the playoffs last season, the Detroit Lions started a brand new season with a come-from-behind victory against the same foe, winning 26-20 off of running back David Montgomery’s overtime score on Sunday night at Ford Field.
Both defenses were locked in for the first period, as the only points scored were on a Rams 41-yard field goal by Joshua Karty.
Points for the Lions started to come in the second quarter, as kicker Jake Bates nailed a 25-yard boot to knot the contest at three.
After a big fourth down stop from the defense, Lions quarterback Jared Goff found wide receiver Jameson Williams in the middle of the field for 36 yards. For the rest of the drive, it was all running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who punched in a one-yard touchdown to give the Lions its first lead of the night.
“We are a run-first team but they did a really good job stopping the run,” Gibbs told WJR Correspondent Nick Lundberg. “We just persevered and fought to the end.”
Once again, the Rams drove the length of the field, but Stafford’s pass was intercepted by safety Kerby Joseph in the end zone during the final moments of the first half to keep the score at 10-3.
Williams speed was made apparent similar to the first half on the second Detroit possession after the break. Goff found his third year receiver down the sideline all by himself for a 52-yard touchdown to extend the lead to two touchdowns.
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WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYMO#LARvsDET | NBC pic.twitter.com/GtCJg72dWU
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 9, 2024
(CONTINUED) The Rams kept fighting throughout the third quarter though, punching in a two-yard rushing touchdown from running back Kyren Williams.
After driving the field again but getting stuffed at the one yard line, the Rams had to settle for a 26-yard field goal from Karty to make the score 17-13 early in the final period.
Goff threw his only interception of the game after making way into Rams territory midway through the fourth, and L.A. capitalized with a nine-yard touchdown reception from wide receiver Cooper Kupp to take a 20-17 lead with less than five minutes to go.
Detroit knocked on the end zone in the final two minutes, but Bates came in clutch with a 32-yard field goal to send the game to overtime.
After winning the coin toss in overtime, the Lions marched down the field on the back of Montgomery, who punched in the winning touchdown from the one yard line.
Next up for Detroit is Tampa Bay (1-0) back at Ford Field for another playoff rematch.
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