July 5, 2024

It’s all over for the Detroit Lions! Against the Los Angeles Rams, they went down to the wire, but they produced just enough plays to thwart a spectacular comeback by Matthew Stafford. The Lions eventually prevailed 24-23 to win by a single point and capture their first postseason victory since 1991.

This is how it transpired.

First quarter

The Lions offense got the ball first after the Rams won the toss and elected to defer. David Montgomery got things started for Detroit, sprinting for 10 and 5 yards in his first two rushes. The Rams’ 30-yard line was reached when Goff connected with Josh Reynolds for a short 24-yard gain.

With a swift move into the red zone, the Lions were up to first-and-goal from the 2-yard line thanks to a ball to Reynolds. Montgomery scored fast, giving the Lions an early 7-0 lead.

Thanks to a pass interference penalty on Brian Branch, the Rams were able to escape going three and out. Los Angeles took the field by storm after that. The Rams were in the red zone when Puka Nacua caught a screen pass that went for 21 yards.

Kerby Joseph was called for a personal foul, which gave the Rams a first-and-goal. Though Brian Branch’s deflection on the third down was one of three consecutive incompletions that kept the Rams to only three points. 7-3, Lions.

After moving Detroit into Rams territory with a roughing-the-pass penalty, the Lions immediately went back to work with a 10-yard pass to Reynolds. Goff returned to Reynolds, who he found for a monster 33-yard gain that sent him down to the Rams’ 10-yard line.

From there, Jahmyr Gibbs rushed it in for a 14-3 Lions lead.

To end the first quarter, Stafford hit Demarcus Robinson with a precise pass on third-and-15 for a 19-yard gain, just as it looked like the Lions defense might force a three-and-out.

Quarter two

Soon after, the Rams were confronted with a third-and-one, on which Stafford found Nacua for a 50-yard touchdown. With only a few steps to spare, Cam Sutton was easily defeated and scored an easy point. Lions 14–10

However, the Lions offensive replied once more. The Lions advanced into Rams territory with a nice combination of run and pass, and they reached the 11-yard line thanks to a spectacular catch and run by Gibbs. On fourth down, Detroit moved down to the 2-yard line and decided to go for it. Sam LaPorta gave the Lions a 21-10 lead after rewarding the choice with a 2-yard touchdown reception.

Stafford immediately resumed his work, starting the drive with a 21-yard pass to Nacua. Then, with Los Angeles choosing to attack on a fourth-and-5 from midfield, Stafford connected with Cooper Kupp for a touchdown to extend the drive. And Tutu Atwell got away from Kindle Vildor for a 38-yard score on the very next play. 21-17 Lions.

The next drive, Goff made a crucial error. He inadvertently lateraled it backwards for a 15-yard loss while attempting to avoid a sack. Luckily, on third-and-15, the Lions found a way out by hitting Amon-Ra St. Brown for 23 yards.

Then an additional dispute arose regarding officiating. The Lions attempted to persuade the Rams to jump offside on fourth-and-5. Though it didn’t seem like it, Taylor Decker was given a false start by the referee. With 59 seconds remaining, Detroit punted back to Los Angeles rather than giving the Lions a first down.

The Rams decided to simply run out the remaining time from their own 5-yard line after a solid punt.

Third quarter

After Stafford failed to find Robinson on a third-and-11, the Rams punted to start the second half.

In contrast, Detroit’s first drive of the second half resulted in a third-and-six conversion after a stunning 30-yard pass from Goff to St. Brown.

With another 19, St. Brown moved the Lions within field goal range. A sack and a 5-yard run, however, were two bad plays that forced Detroit back to the verge of field goal range. Michael Badgley made a 54-yard field goal to seal the victory for the Lions. 24–17 Lions

The Rams answered with a well-rounded, long drive. After breaking a few tackles, tight end Davis Allen was spotted by Stafford and gained 23 yards, all the way down to Detroit’s 11-yard line. From there, though, the Rams would falter and settle for one more field goal. 24–20 Lions

Goff faltered in his attempt to break free from pressure on third down, falling seven yards short of the marker, and the Lions offense was unable to respond.

Quarter four

With a well-placed punt, Jack Fox stopped the Rams at their own 10-yard line. Williams took them out of the hole in a hurry with a 15-yard run. Stafford then used a screen to get nine yards from Nacua on a third-and-eight.

Next, down to Detroit’s 13-yard line, Stafford connected with Nacua for a 22-yard gain. Next, Los Angeles had a crucial third-and-eight. With 8:10 remaining, Goff overthrew Kupp, and the Rams decided to attempt a field goal to make the score 24-23 Lions.

Detroit was unfortunate that the offense stayed in neutral. After Goff missed Reynolds on third down, the Lions went three and out, and Detroit didn’t even waste a full minute of play time.

The Rams were forced inside their own 10-yard line by another excellent punt from Fox, but it made little difference. On the drive’s second play, Stafford connected with Nacua for a 35-yard gain. Ronnie Rivers was checked down for fifteen yards, into Lions territory.

However, the Lions defense was able to make a stop, and the Rams were forced out of field goal position by a crucial holding penalty.

With 4:07 remaining in the game, the Lions regained possession of the ball and had an opportunity to score.

Montgomery forced a Rams defender to miss, earning an early first down. As a result, the Rams had one timeout remaining and the Lions faced a second-and-9 situation, prompting a two-minute warning. Goff retreated to overtake and discovered St. Brown for the PLAYOFF WINNING FIRST DOWN.

The Lions will play the Philadelphia Eagles or Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Detroit the following week as they advance to the divisional round.

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