The Detroit Lions began the season by defeating the Los Angeles Rams with a balanced offense, combining strong running plays with crucial passes, similar to their strategy in the NFC wild-card game.
David Montgomery’s 1-yard touchdown run in overtime gave the Lions a 26-20 victory over the Rams, led by Matthew Stafford, on Sunday night.
“Early in the season, a lot of games come down to who makes the fewest mistakes,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “We made one less than they did.”
The Lions lost a two-touchdown lead in the third quarter but kept the game alive with a tying 32-yard field goal by Jake Bates in the final minute of regulation.
Detroit won the coin toss and took advantage, gaining at least 9 yards on their first four plays in overtime, which set up Montgomery’s winning touchdown.
The Rams nearly spoiled Detroit’s season opener when Stafford connected with Cooper Kupp for a 9-yard touchdown pass with 4:30 left in the fourth quarter.
However, they couldn’t make enough plays on both sides of the ball to secure the win.
Los Angeles fought hard despite losing Pro Bowl receiver Puka Nacua and two offensive linemen from their already struggling line.
“I’m really proud of this group,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “We had a lot of guys go down and a lot of people stepped up. “We just came up short.”
The Lions had a 17-3 lead in the third quarter after Jared Goff threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Williams. “We had that double move worked out all week and he smoked them on it,” Goff said.
Detroit lost its comfortable lead when its former star quarterback took advantage of their defense, and its current quarterback threw an interception early in the fourth quarter.
John Johnson intercepted a pass from Goff over the middle at the Rams’ 20-yard line, stopping Detroit’s chance to kick a field goal and extend their seven-point lead.
Stafford capitalized on this opportunity, leading a 10-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Kupp. Stafford couldn’t make enough successful passes later in the fourth quarter to keep the ball and secure the win, resulting in a punt that gave Goff another chance starting from his 31-yard line with 2:11 left.
“I had a chance to win it,” Stafford said. “Every game, there’s plays you want back.” The Lions moved to the Rams’ 14-yard line and settled for a tying field goal by Bates, which sent the game into overtime.
McVay said he did not regret his decision from the second quarter.
With the score tied at 3 and a chance to attempt a 40-yard field goal, McVay chose to go for it and turned the ball over on downs when Stafford’s pass to Kupp was incomplete.
“We came here to be aggressive and I wouldn’t take that decision back,” McVay said.
Stafford completed 34 of 49 passes for 317 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He threw a pass into the end zone early in the second quarter, where Kerby Joseph intercepted it. Despite taking hits, especially on his right ankle, Stafford kept playing and making plays.
“Give Matt Stafford a lot of credit he played lights out despite taking all those hits,” Campbell said. Kupp matched his career high with 14 receptions and 110 yards receiving.
Goff completed 18 of 28 passes for 217 yards, including one touchdown and one interception. Williams matched his career high with five catches and set a personal best with 121 yards receiving.
“I’m proud of him,” Campbell said. “He still has a lot of room for growth. That wasn’t his best ball, but he made some plays.”
Montgomery ran 17 times for 91 yards, and Jahmyr Gibbs had 11 carries for 40 yards, with both players scoring a touchdown.
