The Detroit Lions triumphed over the Los Angeles Rams 26-20 in an overtime thriller on Sunday night, kicking off the 2024 season.
David Montgomery was instrumental in securing the victory for the Lions, leading them down the field during the extra period.
The game showcased a strong performance from Detroit’s offense, with Jared Goff amassing 217 passing yards and a touchdown, Montgomery contributing 91 rushing yards and a touchdown, and Jameson Williams snagging five passes for 121 yards.
Both teams struggled initially, with the Rams striking first with a field goal. The Lions responded in kind, tying the score at 3-3. This stalemate persisted until near the end of the second quarter, when the Lions orchestrated a 77-yard drive culminating in a touchdown run by Jahmyr Gibbs, despite initial calls suggesting he did not cross the line.
In the closing moments of the first half, the Rams had a chance to score, but Matthew Stafford’s pass was intercepted by Kerby Joseph in the end zone. After a sack on Goff, the Lions headed to halftime with a 10-3 lead.
The second half began with both teams going three-and-out, but Detroit soon expanded their lead to 17-3 with a 52-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Williams. Los Angeles quickly countered with a 70-yard drive, capped off by a touchdown run from Williams, slicing the Lions’ lead to 17-10.
New Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold faced penalties on two key plays: one set up a Rams touchdown, while another on a subsequent drive placed Los Angeles at the one-yard line. However, Aidan Hutchinson’s defensive prowess resulted in two holding penalties, including one that nullified a touchdown, forcing the Rams to settle for a field goal.
As the Lions attempted to drive downfield, an interception thrown by Goff halted their momentum. The Rams capitalized, executing a successful 80-yard drive culminating in a 9-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Cooper Kupp, giving Los Angeles a 20-17 lead with just 4:30 left in regulation.
A subsequent three-and-out by the Lions put them in a precarious position, but they managed to halt the Rams’ drive and regained possession with over two minutes left. They advanced into scoring range, and Jake Bates tied the game with a 32-yard field goal.
Los Angeles retained possession with 17 seconds remaining, but failed to capitalize, as an incomplete pass and a sack from Hutchinson pushed the match into overtime.
Detroit won the coin toss, with Kalif Raymond returning the kickoff to the 42-yard line. Montgomery made significant gains, running for 30 yards, while Goff connected with Gibbs for another 10 yards, advancing the Lions into the red zone. Montgomery continued his strong performance, rushing an additional 14 yards to bring the Lions to the one-yard line as the Rams called a timeout.