2024-01-15 02:25:23
Summary
In a first duel between the two teams in Detroit since the trade that sent Matthew Stafford to Los Angeles and Jared Goff to Michigan, the Lions had the last word on the Rams 24-23 on Sunday to win their first playoff game since 1992.
Goff amassed 277 passing yards with a touchdown pass once morest the team that preferred to get rid of him in 2020, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs set the tone with rushing touchdowns in the first quarter and the Lions put end a streak of nine losses in playoff games.
This is the first time that the Lions will host two playoff games in the same season, with the Tampa Buccaneers or Philadelphia Eagles being their next opponents next Sunday.
“It means a lot to this city,” Goff said. We knew what it meant when, during the season, it was heading towards the playoffs, and therefore now to win this game. You know, this is just the beginning for us. »
On the first offensive sequence, Montgomery put the exclamation point with the touchdown on the 10th play.
When the Lions offensive unit returned to the field following a Rams field goal, this time, it was Gibbs who stood out. A 10-yard run allowed him to cross the end zone and make the score 14-3 in favor of the home team.
As Lions fans have seen many times during his 12 seasons as Detroit’s quarterback, Stafford once once more proved his toughness in this game.
He first suffered a laceration to his right hand when he hit an opponent’s helmet while throwing a pass late in the first quarter.
Stafford was far from over with his troubles. He visited the medical tent following suffering violent contact following a pass at the end of the third quarter. He was first tackled hard by star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson before being hit in the head by tackle Alim McNeill while in a vulnerable position. As if that wasn’t enough, Hutichinson landed with his foot on Stafford’s right shoulder while the Rams quarterback was on the ground.
Despite this mishap, Stafford didn’t even miss a play and he was at his post for the Rams’ next sequence, which ended with a Brett Maher field goal which reduced the gap to 24-23 with 8: 10 on the dial. The Rams, however, were unable to complete the comeback and the Lions won their first playoff game since their victory over the Dallas Cowboys on January 5, 1992.
“I wouldn’t want anyone other than Matthew Stafford to be our quarterback,” McVay said. He was fantastic. He was making the tough throws play following play. People were coming down on him and he kept completing passes. »
Stafford finished the game with 367 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target was Puka Nacua, who set an NFL record for a rookie with 181 receiving yards.
Nacua notably caught a 50-yard touchdown pass that cut the Lions’ lead to 14-10 early in the second quarter.
But, another offensive sequence for the Lions, another touchdown for Detroit following this play. Goff also wanted to have his say once morest his former team. He started the game with 10 consecutive completions before missing his first attempt. On a fourth try at the goal gate, Detroit showed aggressiveness and it all paid off.
Questionable for the game due to a knee injury, tight end Sam LaPorta caught his quarterback’s pass which led to an 11-point cushion for his team.
“Jared was very effective,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. You might see how well he led his troop. I’m happy for him. We wanted this victory, but he did a very good job. »
The Rams, however, managed to keep pace with their opponents. Facing a fourth down and five yards in the middle of the field, Stafford completed a pass to Cooper Kupp for a first play. The quarterback followed up with another precise pass, this time to Tutu Atwell, and the latter finished his run 38 yards further with a somersault to celebrate the six points he added to the scoreboard.
The Lions defense then limited the Rams offense to two field goals in the second half and Goff put the finishing touches by completing a pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown for a first down ending LA’s hopes with two minutes left. TO DO.
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#NFL #Lions #playoff #win #years
