By: Jeremy T. Ballreich
On January 14th, 2023 the Los Angeles Rams came to the Motor City to face our beloved Cardiac Cats. For a chance to face either the Philadelphia Eagles or The Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional round. Because we just finished watching the Green Bay Packers take care of the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
The Lions went and scored a TD at will with a nice five and a half minute drive to go up 0-7 on the opening drive. The Rams went and scored a FG. Three – Seven.
The next pair of drives for both teams was TDs. 10-14!
Lions go up another TD. Rams answer with their own. The Halftime gun goes off the score is 17-21.
At this point the crowd was absolutely electric, the loudest I have heard them ever! Making the Rams uncomfortable on both sides of the ball so far. But at the same time, there was some missed and blown calls. There was some mental errors by both teams. But there wasn’t a lot to complain about except the Lions were the only team that had to punt in the first half.
For the Rams, Puka Nacua is the real deal. He didn’t look blazing fast, but that kid looked like he was a white hot welding iron, torching our defense repeatedly throughout the game!
The second half started with both defenses starting to flex against the offenses. Both teams first drives ended with punts.
Then we traded FGs. 20 – 24. The Lions get the ball with eight minutes and change, in the fourth quarter with a lead. We needed a big drive. It just didn’t happen. The Rams had just made it a one point game with the previous possession.
The SOL (Same Ol’ Lions) Fans were salivating at the thought their savior, that asked to be traded away, Matt Stafford was getting the ball with 7:26 left and a chance to get the lead from our Cardiac Cats, who at this point have never trailed in the game.
The Defense let them get two first downs and they are right at their kickers range, when they did the unthinkable for the Oline. Holding, the young right tackle basically threw down and landed on top of Aidan Hutchinson. This takes them out of FG range. They fail to convert. With just under five minutes left in the Wild Card Match Up.
Four minutes and twenty-six seconds to salt away for the Lions. Let’s go. A couple of insignificant short runs setting up a third and mid to convert. They do. A sigh of relief comes over the crowd.
The Lions look poised but tired as the slow played the next play to take it to the two-minute warning. It’s 3rd and fourteen due to a tackle for loss. Three WR set with Goff in the Pistol formation (modified Shotgun look).
Goff hits Amon-Ra St. Brown for his 7th time. First down with one minute and 52 seconds to go. The last of the Rams timeouts were used.
The Lions need three kneel downs to win their first playoff game in 32 years in front of a Detroit crowd.
The Detroit Lions just ended the longest playoff win drought in the NFL. And as much to my chagrin, but also a little relieved. The Green Bay Packers winning their contest earlier with Dallas. It ensures another home game for us to enjoy this post-season.
This is a proud moment for this writer. This is the best team from the front office to the practice squad, and everything in between I have witnessed. I am proud of my Fandom. And proud of our Lions. On to the Divisional Round we go with home field advantage again.
Final Score:
Rams 23
Lions 24
Thanks For Reading!!!
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