By George B. Eichorn
The Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams were ready for primetime. The Sunday Night Football showcase in front of sold-out Ford Field and national audience was an overtime thriller.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff led an overtime drive down the field in a come-from-behind victory, 26-20, over Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, the former Lion. The packed house in Detroit could not have been happier. The two teams met last January in the NFL Wild Card round, also at Ford Field, with the Lions winning 24-23 for their first post-season W since 1991.
Ford Field was electric. The fans were wired and rightfully so. The Lions provided dazzling hand-held lights which created an amazing multi-color effect several times during the game. Off season excitement about the Lions and their chance to get into Super Bowl LIX next February has the Motor City at a football fever pitch.
Head Coach Dan Campbell started his fourth season at the helm following a stellar 12-5 season in 2023. He knows every game there will be a target on the Honolulu blue and silver as clubs around the NFL try to upset one of deepest rosters in all of football.
Stafford and Rams opened the scoring with a first quarter 41-yard field goal by Joshua Karty. But the Lions roared back with 10 unanswered points in the second quarter. Rookie kicker Jakes Bates nailed a 25-yard field goal and second-year rusher Jahmyr Gibbs crossed the goal line from one yard out. The Lions led 10-3 at the half.
A dazzling 52-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Jameson Williams put Detroit up 17-3. Fans wondered if a rout was in the making. Stafford and Rams weren’t about to let that happen. Kyren Williams of Los Angeles plowed his way into the Lions end zone for a touchdown. Make it 17-10 Detroit at this point.
The fourth quarter featured 10 more points from the Rams. Karty nailed a 26-yard field goal one drive and Stafford connected with favorite receiver Cooper Kupp for a 9-yard touchdown and a 20-17 lead with Lions fans stunned.
Fourth quarter heroics were needed. The Lions would have to come from behind if they wanted a 1-0 start to the new season. Since joining Detroit, time and again Goff has led the Lions with a short amount of time on the game clock. Could it happen again?
A late drive was highlighted by a 32-yard field goal by Bates with only 17 seconds left in the opener. The fans went crazy as again their team had more than a fighting chance to win in extra time. Referee Adrian Hill conducted the overtime coin toss and the Lions won.
Goff once again took the Lions offense down the field as he has done so many times since succeeding Stafford as Lions quarterback. Fleet-footed rusher David Montgomery dazzled the fans during the drive and the game with 17 carries and 91 yards. His one-yard touchdown sealed the thrilling and a Lions comeback, 26-20.
Montgomery could have earned a game ball from Campbell but understandably it went to Williams in the joyous team locker room. Jameson tallied 5 receptions, 1 TD and 121 yards.
“I never got a game ball,” said Williams. “Not at Alabama, not nowhere. I’m not even going to lie, this right here might not leave my hands. I might sleep (holding it).”
On defense, linebacker Alex Anzalone – with 10 tackles – received the other game ball. Other standouts Sunday: Goff, one TD, 217 yards, 85.00 rating; Gibbs, 11 carries with 40 yards and one TD, Aidan Hutchinson with one sack and 5 tackles; Kerby Joseph with one interception, Bates 2-for-2 in field goals and 2-for-2 extra points and punter Jack Fox, 4 punts and 230 yards for a stunning 57.5 average.
The Lions host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday, September 15 at 1 p.m. (FOX and 97.1 The Ticket) in a rematch of last January’s Divisional Round matchup at Ford Field. The Lions defeated the Bucs 31-23, propelling Detroit into the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 1991 season.
Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com or @Sandgsports99 on X (formerly Twitter). Order his book:
Detroit’s Sports Broadcasters: On the Air: Eichorn, George B, Introduction Harwell, Ernie.
