Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford took several big hits on Sunday night against the Lions, and he was playing behind a banged-up offensive line. But he kept coming, leading the Rams back from 14 points down to take a fourth-quarter lead before the Lions eventually won in overtime.
To Lions coach Dan Campbell, that was the ultimate sign of just what a dangerous opponent Stafford is.
“Stafford, man, it’s almost like you don’t want to hit him because when you hit him he plays better. He just continued to make plays,” Campbell said.
Stafford did get better as the game went on, and his late-game heroics were particularly impressive considering he was doing it behind a patchwork offensive line and without wide receiver Puka Nacua. The Rams lost in overtime when their defense gave up a touchdown on the offensive drive, and Stafford never touched the ball. But the Rams’ loss doesn’t negate the way Stafford stepped up.
The Rams and Lions played another close game at Ford Field and while it took overtime in this instance, Detroit once again came out on top.
In the extra period, running back David Montgomery powered the Lions’ offense to a game-winning touchdown drive — giving the club a 26-20 victory without Los Angeles ever touching the ball.
That score came after the Lions had given up a 17-3 lead to trail 20-17. Jameson Williams’ 52-yard touchdown reception early in the third quarter put Detroit up by 14. And at that point, it looked like Detroit would be able to pull away, as Los Angeles had several injury issues.
Receiver Puka Nacua went down with a knee issue late in the first half and did not return in the second. Already without both starting tackles, the Rams’ backup left tackle and starting left guard went down and didn’t return.
But that was no matter, as Los Angeles was able to rattle off 17 straight points to gain a three-point advantage. Kyren Williams muscled in a 2-yard touchdown run after a defensive pass interference penalty put the offense in the shadow of the goal line. It looked like the Rams had tied the game on their next drive with a jet sweep, but third-string left tackle AJ Arcuri was flagged for a hold on Aiden Hutchinson, negating the play.
Los Angeles settled for a 26-yard field goal to make the score 17-13.
It was Cooper Kupp — who tied a career-high with 14 receptions and set a new career-high with 21 targets — who caught the go-ahead, 9-yard touchdown with 4:30 left in regulation from Matthew Stafford.
While the Rams had a chance to close it out on offense with a four-minute drive after forcing a three-and-out on Detroit’s ensuing possession, they couldn’t get it done. A false start on backup right tackle Warren McClendon put L.A. behind the chains, and Stafford’s pass to Kupp on third-and-10 fell incomplete.
Detroit had an opportunity to win it in regulation after advancing deep into Rams territory. But on fourth-and-5, the club had to settle for Jake Bates’ 32-yard field goal with 17 seconds to go to tie it up.
After winning the overtime coin toss, the Lions simply bullied the Rams down the field on the way to victory. Kalif Raymond started the possession with a 12-yard end around. Then Montgomery rolled down the field with 21- and 9-yard carries.
Once Montgomery took conductive runs for 6 and 8 yards to move down to the L.A. 1, head coach Sean McVay took a timeout just to give his defense a blow. But it was over on the next play — Montgomery powered his way through the line for a 1-yard score to end it.
The Rams had opened the game’s scoring with rookie kicker Joshua Karty’s 41-yard field goal in the first quarter. Bates equalized with a 25-yard field goal in the second before Jahmyr Gibbs twisted his way into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown with 1:57 left in the first half.
Montgomery finished the contest with 91 yards on 17 carries with a TD. Williams had five catches for 121 yards with a touchdown, plus a 13-yard carry.
Quarterback Jared Goff was efficient, finishing 18-of-28 for 217 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Much like the matchup in the wild card round back in January, the Rams had issues scoring in the red zone, finishing 2-of-5 — 2-of-4 in goal-to-go situations. Stafford ended the game 34-of-49 for 317 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Williams averaged just 2.8 yards per carry, finishing with 50 yards on 18 attempts. Kupp had 110 yards.
At 1-0, the Lions will continue their tour of teams they beat in last year’s postseason with the Buccaneers coming to town in Week 2.
The Rams will be on the road again next Sunday to face the Cardinals in Arizona.
The first Sunday Night Football matchup of the 2024 season will have a little extra time.
The Rams and Lions are headed to overtime after Jake Bates hit a 32-yard field goal with 17 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Detroit’s Jared Goff had an opportunity with 24 seconds left on third-and-5 from the Los Angeles 14, but he threw incomplete to running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
Los Angeles was down 17-3 in the third quarter but scored 17 consecutive points to go up 20-17 with Cooper Kupp’s 9-yard touchdown reception with 4:30 left in regulation.
The game will end in a tie if there’s no winner after the 10-minute overtime period.
The Lions are starting to blow it open against the Rams.
Jameson Williams caught a 52-yard touchdown pass to give Detroit a 17-3 lead with 10:29 left in the third quarter.
The Lions had third-and-3 and elected to take a shot on the outside. Williams beat cornerback Tre’Davious White with a double move — despite White being flagged for illegal contact — and was wide open down the left sideline as quarterback Jared Goff hit him for the score.
Williams now has three receptions for 89 yards and a 13-yard run.
Goff is 9-of-13 passing for 129 yards with a touchdown.
With several injuries along their offensive line along with receiver Puka Nacua, the Rams may have a tough time getting things going on offense through the rest of the game.
Puka Nacua will not return on Sunday.
The Rams announced that Nacua has been downgraded to out a knee injury.
Nacua suffered the injury in the second quarter while making a catch in Detroit territory. He was examined in the medical tent and briefly attempted to play on the Rams’ last drive of the first half. But he then went back to the sideline before being carted to the locker room at halftime.
The Rams’ offensive line has gotten even more banged up. Left tackle Joe Noteboom — who was playing for the suspended Alaric Jackson — is dealing with an ankle injury, but did not start the second half.
Guard Steve Avila has been ruled out with a knee injury. Jonah Jackson, who started the game at center, has moved over to left guard while rookie Beaux Limmer has entered to play center. AJ Arcuri has come in to play left tackle.
With right tackle Rob Havenstein inactive due to an ankle injury, Warren McClendon is in at right tackle.