It wasn’t pretty. At times, it was downright ugly. But the Detroit Lions fought back in overtime and emerged with a 26-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in their season opener. The Rams went ahead late in the game but the Lions dug deep, displaying the grit and confidence that defines this team.
Detroit Lions Show True Grit In Victory Over Rams
In front of an enthusiastic, soldout crowd at Ford Field and fresh off their outstanding 2023 season, the Lions have one of the league’s top-rated offenses. But the Lions also faced a strong contender in their former quarterback, Matthew Stafford. When second-year wide receiver Puka Nacua went down with an apparent knee injury late in the first half, it was up to the formidable combination of Cooper Kupp and Stafford to make things happen.
Coming back from last year’s injury-riddled season, Stafford’s former number-one target is back healthy and in control. Kupp finished the night with 14 receptions for 110 yards and a nine-yard touchdown. Displaying incredible chemistry with Kupp in the second half, Stafford led one long sustained drive after another as the team chipped away at the Lions’ lead to erase a 17-point deficit. The veteran quarterback looked as sharp as he ever has, completing 34 of 49 passes for 317 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
The game was expected to be a high-scoring shootout between Lions quarterback Jared Goff and Stafford but the Rams’ defense effectively curtailed Goff’s passing game. Star wide receiver Amon-Ra. St. Brown had to contend with smothering coverage all night long. While the normally invincible St. Brown typically makes spectacular plays, he was held to three receptions for 13 yards. An intended pass to St. Brown proved disastrous when Rams defensive back John Johnson intercepted Goff.
Tight end Sam LaPorta was also heavily covered and only managed four receptions for 45 yards. With his two key weapons smothered by the defense, Goff finished the night passing 18 of 28 for 217 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Although the passing game was limited, the running game flourished. The offensive star of the night was running back David Montgomery. With 17 carries for 91 yards and the game-winning overtime touchdown, Montgomery was the spark that kept the Lions’ offensive engine running. He ran five of the eight plays in the overtime series that led to his winning touchdown. If Montgomery was the spark, his fellow running back, Jahmyr Gibbs provided the flash. The agile young speedster contributed 11 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown.
Showing True Grit
With just over four minutes left in the game, Stafford launched a touchdown pass to Kupp that gave the Rams a 20-17 lead. Suddenly, the deafening crowd support that led to several noise-related penalties for the Rams went silent. But one thing that defines this Lions team is the ability to dust themselves off, get back up again, and finish strong.
Coach Dan Campbell has created a culture where every member of this team has the confidence and belief in their shared destiny of a Super Bowl Championship. Every player is expected to fight hard, dig deep when the chips are down, and just get to work. Campbell calls it grit and defines it as the ability to mentally and physically overcome adversity. Unlike the Lions of the past, this is a team that does not quit. Instead, they have repeatedly proven their ability to come back from a seeming defeat against the odds to emerge with a victory.
Defining Difference That Led To A Lions Victory
In addition to the team’s gritty demeanor, another defining difference is the confidence the coaches have in their players and each other. Although the Lions have been very fortunate with many recent draft picks, not every young rookie enters the NFL and flourishes immediately. Superior talents like Gibbs, LaPorta, and Hutchinson are not your typical NFL rookies. Some players need more time than others to learn their roles or develop their skills. The coaches have been patient with young players like Jameson Williams and quarterback Hendon Hooker. The coach’s confidence in Williams is finally paying off as the third-year receiver had a career game last night with five receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown.
Other heroes of the night were linebacker Alex Anzalone who was all over the field making terrific plays, safety Kerby Joseph picked off an interception, and Aidan Hutchinson capped off the night with a resounding sack on Stafford. Finally, NFL rookie kicker Jake Bates proved he can perform under pressure by kicking the tying field goal that sent the game into overtime.
The Rams are a good team, perhaps one of the NFL’s best. If the Lions can continue to display the grit and confidence they showed last night, this team is on their way to another outstanding season.
