Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions captured a 24-23 victory against Matt Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams for their first playoff win since 1991. Jared Goff played a clean game, going 22/27 (81% completion) for 277 yards and a touchdown. Matthew Stafford went 25/36 (69% completion) for 367 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 82 yards and 2 touchdowns. Rams RB Kyren Williams tallied 61 yards on 13 carries, averaging 4.7 a rush.
Star wide-out Amon-Ra St. Brown led Detroit in receiving, beginning his postseason with 7 receptions for 110 yards. The First-Team All-Pro receiver sealed the game with an 11-yard completion that went for a first down. The Lions would only need 3 kneel-downs to clinch the victory. Rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua left the Detroit secondary in shambles, tallying 9 receptions, 181 yards, and a touchdown. This broke the record for the most receiving yards by a rookie in a playoff game, previously held by DK Metcalf in the 2019-2020 season.
Two defensive stars stepped up for both teams on Super Wild Card Weekend, with those being Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson and Rams LB Ernest Jones. Hutchinson was able to capture two sacks (one by chasing Stafford down while he attempted scrambling) and registered 6 total tackles. Rams LB Ernest Jones tallied two sacks as well, as the Rams sent him on a blitz multiple times. The Lions RBs were unable to pick him up in pass protection, and it was odd to see the Rams not do this more often.
Detroit started off the contest hot, scoring on three consecutive drives between the first and second quarters. OT Penei Sewell was that guy for Detroit on Sunday night, as Ben Johnson and the offence ran many run plays behind Sewell. Aaron Donald was also held in check, making a minimal impact in this game (3 tackles, 0 sacks) against double teams. Nobody else on the defensive line was able to generate consistent pressure on Goff until they began blitzing with the linebacker Ernest Jones.
The Rams were able to hang with the Lions, with Stafford finding Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell for huge plays in the second quarter. Nacua caught a 50-yard touchdown on a 3rd and short while Atwell made a contested catch for a 38-yard TD. However, the Rams inability to score touchdowns in the red zone was a main reason why they lost this game. All 3 of their field goals were below 30 yards.
Overall, congratulations to the Detroit Lions and their fans. The Lions will receive another home playoff game next week on Sunday, January 21st at 3:00 PM EST. Monday night’s game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will determine who the Lions play in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs.