Takeaways from Lions' 24-23 Victory against Rams
The Detroit Lions waited decades to celebrate a home playoff game in front of passionate and patient supporters.
After 17 regular season games, Dan Campbell's squad earned the right to host a playoff game in the Wild Card round, as a 12-5 record produced Detroit's first division title in three decades.
A rowdy, excited fanbase let it be known that there was no love lost for Matthew Stafford, the former Lions quarterback who donned the Los Angeles Rams jersey Sunday.
Fans cheered excitedly for Jared Goff, and booed Stafford relentlessly prior to kickoff.
Both teams were evenly matched, as it appeared Detroit was playing itself for the right to advance to the Divisional round next week.
Having the Packers stun the Cowboys prior to kickoff could have provided the team the added spark it needed. The Lions, meanwhile, likely took the field aware of the opportunity they had to host another playoff game, should they defeat a familiar friend.
After 60 minutes of playoff action Sunday, Detroit held on for its first playoff victory since the 1991 season.
Here are several takeaways from the Lions' 24-23 playoff victory.
Lions establish the run game early, execute flawlessly in first quarter
Detroit immediately established the run on the opening offensive possession of the game, as David Montgomery ran well behind a healthy offensive line that was looking forward to the opportunity to gain immediate traction.
Goff also went five-for-five for 51 yards on the opening drive, demonstrating command of Ben Johnson's offense and the early game script.
To open the game, Detroit went on a 10-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by a 1-yard Montgomery scamper. It gave Detroit an early 7-0 lead.
Detroit was able to march right down the field again on its second offensive drive, after the Rams were held to a field goal on their opening drive.
The Lions only needed five plays on their second drive to march 75 yards down the field once again. Gibbs was able to scamper 10 yards into the end zone for the score.
In Detroit's first two drives, Goff went nine-for-nine for 111 yards and a 118.1 passer rating. He finished the first half 16-of-18 for 194 yards and a touchdown.
Puka Nacua exploits Lions' secondary
Prior to the game, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn expressed the secondary would have a plan for the Rams star rookie wideout.
Unfortunately, Puka Nacua, who had a stellar 2023 regular season, was able to exploit issues in Detroit's secondary early in the second quarter.
Stafford connected with Nacua on a 50-yard touchdown on third down-and-short to cut Detroit's lead to four, 14-10.
There appeared to be miscommunication between Cam Sutton and his help on the back end, as Nacua broke free and was a couple yards wide open on the deep connection.
Then, on the Rams' subsequent offensive possession, Kindle Vildor was beaten by Tutu Atwell on a touchdown pass from Stafford. It cut Los Angeles' deficit to four, 21-17.
Stafford shredded the Lions' secondary in the first half, throwing for 196 yards and two scores.
Michael Badgley sighting
All season, Detroit's kicking game did not wow supporters. Campbell repeatedly went for it on fourth down, rather than attempt long field goals.
Michael Badgley ended up taking the kicking job from Riley Patterson, who was waived prior to the postseason.
Detroit's coaching staff expressed confidence during the week of preparation that its new kicker had the leg required to make kicks of 50 yards or more.
Badgley's successful 54-yard field goal early in the third quarter extended Detroit's lead to 24-17. It provided Detroit with points on its opening possession of the second half.
Detroit's defense was able to stop the Rams to open the second half.
Both teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter, as the game entered the fourth quarter with Detroit leading, 24-20.
Rams, Lions two evenly-matched teams
It is no surprise that both teams looked like mirror images of each other.
In front of a nationally-televised audience, two squads with potent offenses and high-end talent on the defensive line waged a battle, and played a relatively sound, fundamental brand of football.
No team looked significantly superior, as both had its struggles defensively and explosive plays on the offensive side of the football.
Goff and Stafford led their teams effectively, and kept it a competitive game all throughout the playoff matchup.
In the fourth quarter, Stafford had the football with less than 8:00 remaining, trailing, 24-23, after Detroit had gone three-and-out on the series prior.
Detroit's defense, which had struggled to stop the Rams all evening, forced a punt with less than 5:00 remaining.
Tasked with icing the game, Goff and the running attack executed when needed, sending the capacity Ford Field crowd home thrilled and excited for next week.
