Los Angeles Rams 20 - 26 Detroit Lions summary, score, stats, and highlights | NFL Week 1
After the rookie Jake Bates tied the game up with just seconds remaining in regulation, David Montgomery took over. The Lions won the toss and handed it off to Montgomery on five of their 8 plays. He had 45 of his 91 yards on the final drive and capped the game off with this game winning TD from a yard out to move the Lions to 1-0 to start this season that is unlike any Detroit fans have experienced before. There is hope in the Motor City and the Lions are doing nothing but fueling that hope.
Stafford hit Kupp to take the lead and for a minute it seemed as if the Rams were going to avenge their playoff loss to the Lions from Ford Field just a few months ago. LA scored 17 unanswered points, but needed to get a stop from their defense late in the 4th.
Cooper Kupp was not 100% for most of last year, but he spent all summer working to make sure he reminded everyone that he is still the best receiver on his team and maybe in the league. With Nacua injured he got 21 targets, catching 14 of those for 110 yards including this toe tap on the sidelines.
With the Lions driving down the field, looking to ice the game midway through the fourth quarter, John Johnson III came up with what would have been the play of the game had the Rams had won this game. Detroit was moving down the field with ease, and setting up at least a FG to put them up seven but Johnson came sweeping through and picked off Goff.
In the bllnk of an eye the Rams had all of the momentum after the Williams touchdown and the Rams got back inside the red zone after this huge catch and run from Tyler Johnson that set up a field goal early in the fourth quarter.
It took the Rams a while to respond after the two missed opportunities deep in Detroit territory, but they were able to bounce back in the second half despite losing Puca Nacua who suffered an apparent knee injury before haltime. Kyren Williams powered his way into the endzone to cut into the lead before the 4th quarter.
Williams had a career night in the season opener against the Rams. He only had one catch in his rookie year and 24 catches last year. Something tells me he's going to be getting a lot more targets this season. He ended the night with 5 catches for 121 yards and this 52 yard TD.
On the possession before this play, the Rams went for it on fourth down inside the DET 25 but failed to get a first down, and then Matthew Stafford made an uncharacteristic throw in the endzone to come up empty on a second straight possession.
The Rams came into the game already banged up on the offensive line and suffered another injury to a starter which meant Stafford was under pressure all night long, On this throw he had time, but just didn't see the defender Kerby Joseph.
After the Williams catch and run, the Lions started to ground and pound with Jahmyr Gibbs who punched the TD in from a yard out. The way both of these two played tonight, and all of last season, I'm not sure if there is a better RB one-two punch in the league.
The Detroit Lions are coming into to this year with high hopes of a Super Bowl run and they started their season with a tough win over a former Mo Town hero in Matthew Stafford and the LA Rams. David Montgomery scored the game winning touchdown on the first possession over overtime, and Jared Goff had 217 yards one TD and one INT on the night.
Goff and the Lions didn't look as explosive as the offense looked at times last year, but they were efficient, especially in the first half and overtime. Goff and Jameson Williiams were the main source of offense for Detroit, and they got going early.
TOUCHDOWN LIONS!!!
THE LIONS WIN IT IN OVERTIME WITH A MONTGOMERY RUN FROM A YARD OUT!!!
LIONS WIN 26-20 TO START THE SEASON!!!
Montgomery pushing the pile all the way down to the one yard line!
1st and Goal from the 1.
Montgomery up the middle and he gets 6 yards.
3rd and 1 from the LA 9.
Gibbs with the first down run and he picks up 3 yards up the middle.
2nd and 7 from the LA 15.
Swing pass to Gibbs out of the backfield and he gets 10 yards before he is is pushed out of bounds.
1st and 10 from the LA 18.
Montgomery gets it back and he gets 9 yards on the second effort.
2nd and 1 from the LA 28.
Montgomery finds a seems and bursts through it for a big gain of 21 yard!
1st and 10 from the LA 37.
Raymond on the end around and he takes it from right to left for a gain of 12 yards.
1st and 10 from the DET 42.
DET get the ball from the 30 to star the OT session.
Stafford called heads, and it landed on tails so the Lions will get the ball first!
Stafford is sacked by Hutchinson and we are heading to overtime!!!
What a game to end Sunday Night Football.
Stafford overthrew his pass to Kupp and Davis had the interception in his hands, but he dropped it!
2nd and 10 from the LA 30.
LA get the ball back from the 30 with 17 seconds left and all three timeouts.
FIELD GOAL!!!
Bates, the rookie, drills the 32 yard field goal to tie the game!
It's 20-20 with 17 seconds left in the 4th.
Goff's throw to Bates was around his shoelaces and he couldn't make the catch.
4th and 5 and the FG unit comes on.
Williams makes the catch over the middle and he picks up 5 yards as the Lions take a timeout with 24 seconds left.
3rd and 5 from the LA 14.
Goff over the middle for St. Brown but he couldn't keep his feet as the ball came.
2nd and 10 from the LA 19.
Pitch out of the shotgun to Gibbs and he cuts up field and dives for the first down.
1st and 10 from the LA 19 with 52 seconds left.
Goff looking for Gibbs in the endzone but he lost his footing and that falls incomplete.
3rd and 2 from the LA 23.
Gibbs gets the pitch and he picks up 8 yards on the right side.
2nd and 2 from the LA 23.
Goff over the middle of the field and he finds LaPorta for an 18 yard connection and a flag for a hit to the head of LaPorta will put the Lions 15 yards closer to the endzone.
1st and 10 from the LA 31.
WE ARE HEADING TO THE TWO MINUTE WARNING FROM DETROIT!
Goff and the Lions take over from their 31 with 2:11 on the clock.
Gibbs up the middle and he gets five yards on first down.
2nd and 5 from the DET 36.
Stafford lobs it up to Kupp on the crossing route but that was just over thrown and the Rams will have to punt.
4th and 10 from the LA 22.
After a false start, Williams gets the run to the left side and he is tackled out of bounds after a seven yard pick up, but that stops the clock which does the Lions a big favor with 2:26 to go.
3rd and 10 from the LA 22.
Williams up the middle and he is tackled in the backfield for a loss of 2.
2nd and 12 from the LA 20.
Stafford hangs in the pocket with the pressure coming in and he slings it to Robinson for a gain of 6 yards and a first down!
1st and 10 from the LA 22.
Stafford over the middle for Johnson but that pass was just a bit out in front of the WR.
3rd and 5 from the LA 16.
LA take over from the 11 and can run down the clock with a long drive here.
Stafford over the middle for Kupp for a 5 yard gain for their 14th connection of the night.
2nd and 5 from the LA 16.
Goff should have got intercepted by Durant after under throwing that ball down the sideline, but the DB couldn't hang on to the ball after leaping and falling to the ground.
4th and 5 from the DET 35.
Goff got hit as the released the ball and that falls incomplete. Could have been a sack or worse for Goff.
3rd and 5 from the DET 35.
DET take over from the 30 and Goff finds St. Brown on the out route for five yards.
2nd and 5 from the DET 35.
With Puca Nacua injured, you know who it's going to, but no one can stop the Stafford-Kupp combo. Stafford was 8/8 for 73 yards on that drive, many of those to Kupp.
This interception from Johnson might go down as the play that changed the game. The Lions were driving, but Johnson came up with the huge take away to set up the Rams go ahead TD drive.
TOUCHDOWN RAMS!!!!
Stafford finds Kupp on a shallow out route and he turns and stretches to the pylon for the touchdown!
LA take the 20-17 after 17 unanswered points!
Stafford escapes the rush and rolls right before firing it to Robinson for a 13 yard first down pass.
1st and Goal from the 9.
Williams up the middle and he picks up 5 yards on first down.
2nd and 5 from the DET 22.
Fade route from Kupp and he makes an incredible toe tap catch for a 20 yard pick up!
1st and 10 from the DET 27.
Williams up the middle to move the chains on a 2 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the DET 47.
Stafford finds Robinson on the right side and that goes for 9 yards to bring up 3rd and short.
3rd and 1 from the DET 49.
Stafford finds Kupp on the left sideline but that goes for no gain.
2nd and 10 from the LA 42.
Stafford steps up in the pocket and flings it to Johnson for a gain of 13 to keep the drive alive.
1st and 10 from the LA 42.
Stafford goes to the other sideline and finds Parkinson for a short pick up of 2 to bring up 3rd and short.
3rd and 1 from the LA 29.
Stafford finds Kupp on the sideline for a pitch and catch of 7 yards on the left side.
2nd and 3 from the LA 27.
INTERCEPTION!!!
Pass over the middle for St. Brown but Johnson cuts in and makes a diving interception to kill the Lions drive!
LA ball at the 20 with 9:09 to go!
Gibbs up the middle and he picks up 7 on first down.
2nd and 3 from the LA 25.
Goff over the middle for Williams and he races up the field for a catch and run of 27 yards! What a game for Williams!
1st and 10 from the LA 32.
Goff tucks it and cuts it outside before stretching for the marker to keep the drive alive!
1st and 10 from the DET 41.
After a false start on DET, Goff finds LaPorta on the in pattern for a pick up of 9.
3rd and 6 from the DET 34.
DET get the ball back from the 30 and Gibbs is stopped for no gain on the carry.
2nd and 10 from the 30.
FIELD GOAL!!!
Karty hits the 26 yard field goal, but the Rams miss an opportunity to level the score from the one yard line after the penalty.
DET leads 17-13 with 12:32 to go in the 4th quarter.
Stafford lobs it up with pressure in his face, and Kupp had to play defender to make sure that didn't get intercepted. There was a holding call on LA, but that flag was declined.
4th and Goal from the 8.
Williams up the middle and he picks up 3 yards up the middle.
Huge 3rd and Goal from the 8.
Whittington on the end around and he takes it into the endzone but a holding penalty will take that TD off the board and back the Rams up 10 yards.
2nd and Goal from the 11.
Williams puts his head down looking for the end zone, but he is stuffed for no gain.
2nd and Goal from the 1.
Stafford looking for Robinson in the endzone and another flag flies for pass interference on Arnold.
1st and Goal from the 1.
Stafford with a short pass to Kupp on the stop route for a gain of 5 yards.
2nd and 5 from the DET 18.
WE ARE HEADING TO THE FOURTH QUARTER FROM DETROIT!!!
The Rams are driving, looking to tie this game up.
Johnson with a short catch on the crossing route and he spins up field and takes it all the way into DET territory with a 63 yard catch and run!
1st ad 10 from the DET 23!
LA get the ball back at their 16 with a chance to tie the game, but Williams is dropped for a loss of two yards on first down.
2nd and 12 from the LA 14.
Goff finds LaPorta who makes the catch on the stop route but he is stopped short of the marker by a yard.
4th and 1 and the Lions will punt.
Gibbs gets the handoff and picks up 3 yards on the left side.
3rd and 5 from the DET 35.
DET get the ball from the 30 and Goff finds Gibbs out of the backfield for a short gain of 2.
2nd and 8 from the DET 32.
Williams finally get into the endzone after a couple of trips deep into DET territory. Williams punches it in from a yard out.
TOUCHDOWN RAMS!!!
Williams gets the handoff up the middle and barrels over a couple of defenders for the first TD of the Rams' season.
LA cut into the lead, but DET are up 17-10
Stafford going for Kupp in the endzone, and a flag flies for interference as that pass sails over the head of the WR.
1st and Goal from the 2.
Williams gets the handoff and takes it to the left side for a gain of three.
3rd and 6 from the DET 11.
Kupp on the end around and he is stopped after a gain of a yard.
2nd and 9 from the DET 14.
Stafford over the middle and he finds Robinson to keep the drive alive on a 14 yard strike.
1st and 10 from the DET 15.
Williams gets the handoff up the middle and he is stuffed for no gain.
4th and 3 from the DET 29.
Williams up the middle and he picks up 3 to bring up 3rd and short.
3rd and 3 from the DET 29.
Short pass to Johnson out of the backfield and he is stopped at the line of scrimmage.
2nd and 10 from the DET 36.
Comeback route from Kupp on the left sideline and he picks up 21 yards off another dart from stafford.
1st and 10 from the DET 36.
Pass to the flat for Kupp and he had a lot of work to do for the first down, but he splits two defenders and shakes a tackle for a first down.
1st and 10 from the LA 43.
Williams up the middle and he gets the lost yardage on the 2nd down run.
3rd and 10 from the LA 30.
LA take over from the 30 and the screen pass to Williams is sniffed out by Azalone who drops him for a loss of 3.
2nd and 13 from the LA 27.
Williams shook his defender with the double move and walked into the end zone! Detroit with a quick strike TD to take a two score lead early in the third quarter.
TOUCHDOWN LIONS!!!
Williams with a double move and he left the defender in the dust as Goff laid a dime in stride for a 52 yard TD!!!
Lions lead 17-3 five minutes into the third quarter!
Goff over the middle to Montgomery out of the backfield for a short gain of 2.
3rd and 3 from the LA 48.
DET get the ball from their 41 and Montgomery gets the draw up the middle for a five yard gain.
2nd and 5 from the LA 46.
Stafford over the middle looking for Kupp but Branch could have and should have had an interception.
4th and 10 from the LA 20.
Short pass to the right side for Johnson who is taken down after a gain of a yard.
3rd and 10 fro the LA 20.
LA take over from the 20 and Williams is dragged down for a loss of one.
2nd and 11 from the LA 19.
Pass over the middle for Williams who is back in the ball game after limping off earlier, and that pass is jarred out of his hands thanks to a big hit from Reader.
4th and 4 from the DET 36.
Montgomery gets it back and takes it for 4 yards to bring up 3rd and medium.
3rd and 4 from the DET 36.
DET take over from the 30 yard line and Montgomery gets the run to the right side for a gain of 2 yards.
2nd and 8 from the DET 32.
WE ARE BACK IN DETROIT FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION!!
The Rams were inside the 25 twice, but came out of both those drive with zero points. They turned it over on downs once, and Stafford threw this interception with just seconds on the first half clock. Stafford has 119 yards on 16/26 but the two turnovers deep in DET territory have the Rams losing this game 30 minutes in.
David Montgomery got the majority of the carries, 9 for 35, but it's Jahmyr Gibbs punched in the game's only touchdown from a yard out.
Goff is looking fresh out of the gate, He hit Willams in stride on this big catch and run for 36 yards. He would make another catch, but got injured after getting tangled up under a defender, and hasn't returned to the game. Goff is 7/10 for 65 yards, 37 of those to Williams.
Stafford has been going to his main guys Nacua and Kupp the majority of this first half, although Nacua went down holding his knee after making a catch. He spent some time in the tent, but then came back to the game a few plays later. They have a combined 10 catches for 63 yards.
Neither team has had trouble moving the ball, but in the early going both Goff and Stafford were under pressure. Stafford as always is getting a not so warm welcome back to Detroit. He's be hit a couple times and got up slowly more than his coach and Rams fans would like to see.
WE ARE HEADING TO HALFTIME FROM DETROIT WITH THE LIONS UP BY A TOUCHDOWN!
The Lions drop back to pass and Goff got crushed from behind. Not a good play call with 15 seconds left, and that's going to be enough for the Lions to call it a half.
INTERCEPTION!!!!
Stafford throws it to the endzone off his back foot and gets picked by Johnson who kneels it down for a touchback!
DET ball with 15 seconds left after a huge mistake from LA!!!
Stafford to the back of the end zone, but that pass to Robinson was too tall for the WR.
2nd and Goal from the 8.
Kupp on the out route and that will be enough to bring up 1st and Goal.
1st and Goal from the 8.
Stafford escapes the pocket and flips it to Williams who picks up 8 yards.
2nd and 2 from the DET 12 and LA takes their second TO with 29 to go.
Out route from Parkinson and Stafford hit him in stride as he turns up field and gets 20 on the catch and run.
1st and 10 from the DET 20.
Stafford over the middle to Johnson and that goes for a short gain of two, but a roughing the passer flag on Hutchinson will give the Rams a free 15 yards.
1st and 10 from the DET 40.
Slant from Roberts, but the pass was batted down by Robertson.
2nd and 10 from the LA 38.
An offside gifts LA a free five yards, and Williams moves the chains with a gain of 4 yards.
1st and 10 from the LA 38.
LA take over from their 30 and Willams gets 4 on the 1st down run.
2nd and 6 from the LA 34.
Gibbs got four carries in the final five plays of the drive, and punched it in from a yard out.
TOUCHDOWN LIONS!!!
After review, the ruling on the field is overturned as replays showed Gibbs was still in the air as he crossed the goal line!
DET take the lead 10-3 with under 2:00 to go.
Gibbs got the handoff up the middle and he stretches for the goal line but it was called down at the inch line. That play is being reviewed.
WE ARE AT THE TWO MINUTE WARNING.
Goff with a pass to the left sideline to Wright who makes the catch but gets tripped up at the 1 yard line.
2nd and Goal from the 1.
Gibbs bounces out to the right side, but found a hole and put his head down for a 2 yard run and a first down!
1st and Goal from the 3.
Gibbs gets it again, and he picks up 2 to set up 3rd and short.
3rd and 1 from the DET 5.
Gibbs gets the handoff out of the shotgun and he dances his way for a gain of 7 yards.
2nd and 3 from the DET 7.
Williams on the end around and he speed his way for a first down with a 13 yard pick up but he got tangled up and stays down on the ground. DET is awfully thin at the WR position and this is not something they want to see.
1st and 10 from the LA 14.
Screen pass for Gibbs and he follows his blockers for a 14 yard gain on the left side.
1st and 10 from the LA 27.
Goff takes a shot to the end zone for Williams, but that pass was a bit over thrown.
2nd and 10 from the LA 41.
DET take over from the 23 and Goff fires a missile over the middle for Williams in stride and he takes it 36 yards on a big play to start the drive.
1st and 10 from the LA 41.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS!!!
The offense stays on the field and Stafford looks for Kupp o the comeback route, but he couldn't reel it in with the coverage draped all over him!
DET ball from the 23 yard line as we look for our first TD of the game with 6:31 to go.
Stafford over the middle, finding Nacua on the slant but he is touched down short of the marker.
4th and 4 from the DET 23.
Stafford was pressure out of the pocket by Davenport and he had to throw it before taking a sack.
3rd and 10 from the DET 29.
Stafford looking for Kupp on the out route but Branch was there to break up the pass with a diving effort.
2nd and 10 from the DET 29.
Williams with the run to the left side and moves the chains after a gain of 4.
1st and 10 from the DET 29.
Stafford steps up in the pocket and looks for Nacua over the middle for a six yard gain.
2nd and 4 from the DET 35.
Kupp on the end around and he gets 9 yards and a first down before getting pushed out of bounds.
1st an 10 from the DET 39.
Stafford over the middle to Nacua and he gets 7 yards on the first down pass.
2nd and 3 from the DET 48.
Rivers gets the stretch handoff and he follows his blockers for a gain of 12 yards and a first down.
1st and 10 from the LA 44.
Screen pass for Parkinson but that pass hits the TE in the hands and falls incomplete.
2nd and 10 from the LA 32.
Rivers up the middle and he moves the chains with a three yard pick up.
1st and 10 from the LA 32.
LA get the ball back from their 22 and Nacua gets the end around and takes it from right to left for 7 yards before getting pushed out of bounds.
2nd and 3 from the LA 29.
FIELD GOAL!!!
The Rams get a red zone stop and force the Lions to settle for a field goal. Bates drills the 25 yard field goal and we are tied up.
It's 3-3 with 12:17 to go in the 2nd quarter.
Goff looking in the back of the endzone for LaPorta and the TE tried to drag it down with one hand, but it just slipped off his fingertips.
4th and Goal from the 7.
Montgomery with the handoff and he is stopped for a loss of one by Lake.
3rd and Goal from the 7.
Goff finds St. Brown on the short left side and he gets popped after a gain of 4.
2nd and Goal from the 6.
Goff with the play fake and he finds LaPorta wide open on the crossing route and he picks up 14 on the catch and run.
1st and Goal from the 10.
The Lions keep their offense on the field and Montgomery takes it up the gut for a gain of three.
1st and 10 from the LA 29.
Goff over the middle and his pass to St. Brown was too far out in front of the W.
4th and 2 from the LA 32.
WE ARE AT THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER AND THE RAMS LEAD BY A TOUCHDOWN!
Williams in the flat, but Rams defenders swarmed him and dropped him after a gain of a yard.
3rd and 2 from the LA 32.
Montgomery up the middle on first down and he gets another 7 yards.
2nd and 3 from the LA 33.
Montgomery to the left side again, and this time he dances his way for a first down and a gain of 6.
1st and 10 from the LA 40.
Montgomery with the sweep to the left side out of the shotgun and he gets 8 yards on first down.
2nd and 2 from the LA 41.
Montgomery with the catch that was behind Stafford and he takes it 5 yards before a flag on LA for illegal hands to the face moves the LIons up another 5 yards.
1st and 10 from the LA 49.
Montgomery was hit in the backfield but spun and dove for the marker and picks up the first down.
1st and 10 from the DET 41.
Gibbs gets the pitch out of the backfield and he streaks for a gain of 6 yards before getting put out of bounds.
3rd and 1 from the DET 39.
The Lions start their second drive from their 30, and Montgomery picks up 3 yards on the run up the middle.
2nd and 7 from the DET 33.
FIELD GOAL!!!
The Rams build up a nice drive, but the sack on Stafford means they have to bring out the rookie kicker, and Karty hits the 41 yard field goal to start his NFL career.
LA leads 3-0 with under 5:00 to go in the 1st quarter.
After a false start backs the Rams up 5 yards, Williams picks up 9 yards on a run up the middle and the FG unit will come on.
4th and 19 from the DET 19.
Stafford couldn't find anyone open, and gets dropped by Davenport for a loss of 8 yards.
3rd and 19 from the DET 29.
Stafford looking for Allen on the right side but that pass came in a bit too high.
2nd and 10 from the DET 19.
Short pass to Parkinson on the out route ad he moves the chains with a 15 yard catch and run to the right side.
1st and 10 from the DET 19.
Stafford's pass to Robinson over the middle falls incomplete.
3rd and 6 from the DET 34.
Stafford with a sort pass to Kupp in the flat and he's pushed out of bounds for a gain of 4 yards.
2nd and 6 from the DET 34.
Short pass from Stafford to Nacua and he breaks a tackle before bursting up the sideline for a 16 yard catch and run.
1st and 10 from the DET 38.
Williams on the left side for a gain of two yards, and that will give the Rams another first down.
1st and 10 from the LA 46.
Stafford over the middle and Kupp makes another catch, this time for 8 yards on first down.
2nd and 2 from the LA 44.
Stafford to Parkingson on the right side and he picks up just enough to move the chains.
1st and 10 from the LA 36.
Stafford back to Kupp on the comeback and he turns up field for a gain of 11 and a first down.
1st and 10 from the LA 26.
The Rams take over from the 10 yard line for their second drive and Stafford finds Kupp with a dangerous pass on the left sideline for a gain of 5.
2nd and 5 from the LA 15.
Goff had the pocket collapse on him and gets dropped by Young for a loss of 9 yards.
4th and long from the DET 31.
Goff finds St. Brown on the slant pattern that goes for a short gain of 4 on the left side.
3rd and 4 from the DET 42.
The Lions take over from their 36 yard line and Montgomery picks up 2 yards on a run up the middle.
2nd and 8 from the DET 38.
Stafford looks to Kupp in the flat and there is Anzalone again to drop him a for another loss of yardage.
4th and 13 from the LA 27.
Stafford looking deep down the left sideline but his pass to Robinson drifted out of bounds.
3rd and 11 from the LA 29.
Dump off from Stafford to Williams out of the backfield and he gets popped by Anzalone for a loss of a yard.
2nd and 11 from the LA 29.
WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM DETROIT!!!
The Rams get the ball to start the game and Stafford is greeted to a mix of boos and cheers as LA starts their first drive from the 30.
Tonight’s odds
Detroit comes into tonight as a five point favorite (-5) while the over under is set at 53.5. The Lions are at home, coming off the best season in franchise history, and they have their sights set high. While expectations are as high as ever, they know they have to come out in Week 1 against a team that has been waiting for their chance at revenge.
I think the Lions come out locked in and win this one comfortably, I’m taking Lions -5.
Super Bowl odds
Coming into Week 1, the Chiefs top the odds makers list of Super Bowl favorites, but they have a pack of hungry teams looking to knock them off their throne this season. The Lions are one of those teams, but are paying pretty good money for a team that is coming into the campaign with such high Super Bowl hopes. The Lions are tied for third favorites at +1000 with the Ravens and the Eagles. The Rams are a bit more of a long shot, sitting at 13th favorite, at +3000
According to our friends at MGM, these are the top five favorites to lift the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season.
Chiefs +450
Niners +550
Ravens+1000
Eagles +1000
Lions +1000
Stafford back home, again
Things got a little tense in Matthew Stafford’s home coming a couple years after leaving Detroit for LA. He gave his blood, sweat and body to the city, the team and the fanbase for over a decade and in that time he put up incredible numbers despite having a less than average team during his entire tenure. He took the Lions to the playoffs three times, but could never win a game and never got past the Wild Card round. He left Detroit for LA, and immediately won the Super Bowl with the Rams, which may have left the Lions fans a bit bitter and they expressed that bitterness in the form of booing their former hometown hero. When asked about it after the game, he simply responded "I'm happy for the players. Happy for those guys," Stafford said."I'm happy for the players. Happy for those guys,"
Star watch: Rams
This team rises and falls with Matthew Stafford, but the emergence of rookie wide receiver Puka Nauca last year made Stafford an even more dangerous quarterback. Take into account that one of the most efficient receivers in the game, Cooper Kupp, was injured for the first half of the season and was far from himself in the first few games after his return. Once he got into tip top shape, the Rams rattled off 7 of their last 8 games. Cupp had 737 yards on 59 receptions in a shortened season while Nacua set a rookie record for receiving yards with 1,486 yards and scored 6 TDs.
Star watch: Lions
You can talk about Dan Campbell or Jared Goff all you want, but the reason this team was knocking on the door of the Super Bowl was the run game. The tag team of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs gave this team a balance that made their offense nearly unstoppable. In his first year in Detroit Montgomery ran for 1,015 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns, a career high. He did this while splitting carries with then rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs who ran for 945 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and scoring 10 TDs while and showed he is among the most dynamic and exciting running backs in the game in his debut campaign. These two are only going to get better this season which should be a scary proposition for the rest of the NFC.
Last season: Lions
Detroit started last season with a bang in Arrowhead in Week 1. It was the season opener against the defending champions and Dan Campbell’s team sent a message to the rest of the league by beating the Chiefs in KC. They would go on to win eight of their first ten games and looked like one of the best teams in the league. A couple division losses brought them back to earth, but the Lions ended the season 12-5 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2016. They drew the Rams in the first round, and Jared Goff led the franchise to it’s first playoff win in 32 years. They were at the Super Bowl's doorstep, but big on the Niners, but they would blow a big lead and fall just short of their first trip to the title game.
Last season: Rams
It was a bumpy start to the season for the Rams who won just three of their first nine games as injuries accumulated on both sides of the ball. They had their BYE in Week 9 and caught fire, winning seven of their last eight and sneaking into the postseason. That set up a first round playoff game with the Lions as Stafford made his return to the place he used to call home. Stafford threw for 367 yards and two TDs and had the Rams in position to take their first lead against the Lions late in the fourth quarter, but a holding penalty backed LA up from the DET 34 to the 44 and knocked them out of field goal range. They had to punt the ball on 4th and long, and they would’t get the ball back as the Lions picked up a couple of first downs and ran the clock down.
We are live from Detroit
Hello everyone and welcome to Mo Town where the Lions are coming off a historic season in which they had a foot and a half in Super Bowl Sunday, but had a late game collapse against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship. This year they are aiming to make a Super Bowl run for a first time in franchise history, and will begin their campaign against the former face of their franchise. Matthew Stafford returned to Detroit in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, and wasn’t exactly embraced with the warmth that he might have expected. LA got bounced from the playoffs by the Lions, and now Stafford and the Rams are looking for revenge in the season opener.
Rams vs. Lions
Like Carrie Underwood says in the song, we’ve been waiting all week for Sunday night! Week 1 is almost in the books and tonight we are in Detroit for a Motor City match up between two teams with high hopes coming into the season. Former hometown hero Matt Stafford and the LA Rams start their season on the road in a primetime showdown with the Detroit Lions. AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of tonight’s game from Ford Field.