The Rams and Lions played another close game at Ford Field, and although this time it went to overtime, Detroit once again emerged victorious.
In overtime, running back David Montgomery led the Lions’ offense to a game-winning touchdown drive, giving the club a 26-20 victory without Los Angeles touching the ball even once.
That goal came after the Lions had given up a 17-3 lead and were now trailing 20-17. Jameson Williams’ 52-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter put Detroit ahead by 14 points. And at that point, it looked like Detroit might pull away as Los Angeles had several injury problems.
Receiver Puka Nacua was out late in the first half with a knee problem and did not return for the second half. The Rams’ backup left tackle and starting left guard, who had already lost both starting tackles, were out and did not return.
But it didn’t matter, as Los Angeles scored 17 straight points to take a three-point lead. Kyren Williams scored a 2-yard touchdown after a pass interference penalty pushed the offense into the shadow of the goal line. It looked like the Rams had tied the game on their next drive with a jet sweep, but third left tackle AJ Arcuri was penalized for holding Aiden Hutchinson, invalidating the play.
Los Angeles settled for a 26-yard field goal, making the score 17-13.
It was Cooper Kupp – who set a career high with 14 passes caught and set a new career high with 21 targeted passes – who caught the 9-yard touchdown from Matthew Stafford to give the game the lead with 4:30 left in regulation.
Although the Rams had a chance to close the offense with a four-minute drive after forcing a three-and-out on Detroit’s ensuing possession, they failed to do so. A false start by backup right tackle Warren McClendon put LA behind, and Stafford’s pass to Kupp on third-and-10 was incomplete.
Detroit had a chance to win in regulation after driving deep into Rams territory, but on fourth and fifth attempts, the club had to settle for Jake Bates’ 32-yard field goal with 17 seconds left to tie the game.
After winning the overtime coin toss, the Lions simply hustled the Rams down the field en route to the win. Kalif Raymond started the possession with a 12-yard run. Then Montgomery rolled down the field with runs of 21 and 9 yards.
After Montgomery ran 6 and 8 yards and advanced to the LA 1, head coach Sean McVay called a timeout to give his defense a blow. But on the next play, it was all over – Montgomery fought his way through the line and scored a 1-yard touchdown that ended the game.
The Rams opened the game’s scoring with a 41-yard field goal by rookie kicker Joshua Karty in the first quarter. Bates tied it with a 25-yard field goal in the second quarter before Jahmyr Gibbs fought his way into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown with 1:57 left in the first half.
Montgomery finished the game with 91 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. Williams caught five balls for 121 yards with a touchdown and a 13-yard run.
Quarterback Jared Goff put in an efficient performance, completing 18 of 28 passes for 217 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Similar to the wild-card round clash in January, the Rams struggled to score in the red zone, finishing 2 of 5 – 2 of 4 in goal-to-go situations. Stafford finished the game 34 of 49 passing for 317 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Williams averaged just 2.8 yards per carry and finished the game with 50 yards on 18 attempts. Kupp had 110 yards.
Sitting at 1-0, the Lions continue their tour of the teams they beat last postseason, with the Buccaneers coming to town in Week 2.
Next Sunday the Rams are back on the road and will face the Cardinals in Arizona.
