The highly anticipated matchup certainly lived up to its expectations, and as the game unfolded, it became evident that the team with the final possession would emerge victorious.
That team happened to be the Lions.
On Sunday night at Ford Field, the Rams’ season came to an end with a narrow 24-23 defeat against the Lions.
Trailing 24-23 with 7:18 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Rams regained possession after a defensive stop. However, they faced a challenging drive starting from their own 9-yard line. Despite advancing to the Lions’ 34-yard line and appearing to be in position for a long field goal attempt by kicker Brett Maher, a holding penalty against the Rams changed the situation to a 3rd-and-14 from the Lions’ 44-yard line. Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s subsequent incomplete pass forced the Rams to punt with 4:07 left on the clock.
With only one timeout remaining due to using two earlier in the fourth quarter, time was not on the Rams’ side. At the 2-minute warning, the Lions faced a 2nd and 9 from their own 32-yard line. However, Lions quarterback Jared Goff connected with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for an 11-yard completion and a crucial first down. Although the Rams utilized their final timeout, it proved inconsequential as the Lions opted to take a knee and run out the remaining 1:54 to secure their victory.
Despite the loss, Stafford delivered an impressive performance, completing 25 of 36 pass attempts for 367 yards and two touchdowns. His 367 passing yards marked the second-highest total in a single playoff game throughout his career. Additionally, rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua stood out with nine receptions for 181 yards and one touchdown, setting a new NFL rookie playoff record for receiving yards.
For a comprehensive recap of the entire game, please refer to the following.
The Lions wasted no time in taking the lead, scoring a touchdown on a 10-play, 75-yard drive led by running back David Montgomery. This impressive drive took over five minutes off the clock.
The Rams responded by making their way to the Lions’ 6-yard line, but they had to settle for a 24-yard field goal attempt by Maher. This reduced their deficit to four points with 4:26 remaining in the first quarter.
Although the second offensive series for Los Angeles started off challenging, it concluded with an incredible 50-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Nacua along the left sideline. This brought the deficit back to just four points for L.A. early in the second quarter. However, Detroit had an answer once again, this time with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Goff to LaPorta. This extended their lead to 21-10 in the middle of the second quarter.
With the assistance of a successful conversion on 4th and 5 from the Lions’ 44-yard line, the Rams managed to reduce their deficit to four points once again. This time, it was accomplished through a remarkable 38-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to wide receiver Tutu Atwell, with only 4 minutes and 2 seconds remaining in the first half.
A false start penalty against the Lions – as they were attempting to go for it on 4th and 5 from the Rams’ 41 – forced them to punt. However, an illegal blindside block penalty against the Rams’ punt return unit forced their offense to start from their own 5-yard line. The Rams got enough yardage to avoid that being an issue and to also drain the remaining minute of the first half.
Kicker Michael Badgley’s 54-yard field goal midway through the third quarter extended the Lions’ lead to 24-17. Detroit had to settle for it thanks to a key sack for a 6-yard loss on 2nd and 15.
The Rams answered with a field goal of their own, 27 yards from Maher, to again trim their deficit to four late in the third quarter.
A 29-yard field goal by Maher cut the Rams’ deficit to one with 8:13 to go in the fourth quarter. But because they only had one timeout and needed stops, the Rams were in a disadvantageous position and left with too big of a hill to climb to get the win.