THE LIONS WIN A PLAYOFF GAME
THE LIONS WIN A PLAYOFF GAME
The Detroit Lions stave off the Matthew Stafford led Los Angeles Rams 24-23 to win their first playoff game in over 30 years.
The Detroit Lions welcomed the Los Angeles Rams into Ford Field for it's first ever playoff game which saw quarterback Matthew Stafford returning as a visitor for the first time. A sell out, raucous, star studded crowd which included Eminem, Big Sean, Mr. Chimetime, Calvin Johnson, Barry Sanders among others made their presence known even before kickoff. The Lions got the ball first and Jared Goff led the offense on a masterful opening drive that ended with a David Montgomery one yard touchdown run.
Stafford led the Rams down the field but only got 3 from kicker Brett Maher. Jared Goff and the offense picked up right where they left off with Goff's hot hand and the the running game setting the tone and delivering another touchdown on a Jahmyr Gibbs 10 yard touchdown carry. The Rams responded with a long TD pass from Stafford to their outstanding rookie wideout Puka Nacua. Lions drove down the field and on a 4th & 1 from the two yard line found Sam LaPorta for six.
The Lions were up 21-10 when another Stafford bomb, this time to Tutu Atwell made it a four point lead and it stayed that way at half. The only points for Detroit in the second half came in the third quarter on a 54 yard Michael Bagley field goal however the Rams could only muster two more Maher field goals. There were a couple of glaring penalties and no calls. In the third quarter when Detroit was going to go for it on a 4th down and five to go they were called for a false start by Taylor Decker although it looked like he was drawn by a Rams player in the neutral zone.
Aidan Hutchinson came up big in his playoff debut with two sacks on Matthew Stafford
The last Rams offensive drive saw Cam Sutton get away with a jersey tug on Puka Nacua that forced the Rams to punt. A couple of Lions first downs later saw Jared Goff in the best formation in football kneeling the ball and the entire city of Detroit celebrating the Lions first playoff win since George H.W Bush was in office. As it became reality there were fans with tears in their eyes as it had come into fruition that their Honolulu Blue had won.
The Lions will be hosting either Tampa Bay or Philadelphia next Sunday. Green Bay rolled over Dallas and will be taking on the San Francisco 49ers. Between the Lions playoff victory and Michigan winning the College Football Playoff National Championship it has been a week of exuberant joy and ecstasy in the state of Michigan. Another playoff victory at Ford Field would be one step shy of pure joy.
Dan Campbell and the squad will definitely enjoy this win but it'll be back to business to defending the den with an NFC Championship Game appearance on the line.