Like great boxing title fights of yesteryear, the air at Fords Field Monday night was electric. A resentment and anger to one’s opponent filled the stadium as the Jared Goff and the Los Angeles Rams came to Detroit in a first round football playoff game reminded one of the angers exhibited in a boxing match.
The pregame air was charged as local dignitaries – Calvin “Megatron” Johnson as well as rapper Eminem were introduced. The crowd of 66,000 burst into applause as favorite son Barry Sanders appeared on the Jumbo-Tron. Beloved quarterback Matthew Stafford – a 12-year veteran of the Lions but now the starting quarterback of the Rams was booed as pre-game introductions were made. Get your Detroit Lions tickets now.
In 1985 Detroit native Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns fought Marvin Hagler for the middleweight boxing title in Las Vegas. The fight lasted three rounds; the first round is arguably the greatest round in boxing history. Hagler stunned Hearns; Hearns cut Hagler. Both fighters sensed that the fight seemingly could end in the very first round. Forget about pacing oneself for the possibility of a long fight. Crisp jabs and bombs were thrown with the intent of knocking the other out.
Jared Goff on the Opening Drive
The Lions received the opening kickoff and quarterback Jared Goff engineered a 75-yard drive. David Montgomery, the starting running back ran the ball five times in the drive before capping the drive with a one-yard touchdown carry. The Lions drew first blood. Read more about Detroit Lions tickets.
The rivalry between the two teams goes back to the Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff trade in 2021. Each team gave up their starting quarterback at the time, the Lions also received a 2021 third-round pick, and first round picks in 2022 and 2023. Stafford would lead the Rams to a Super Bowl victory, the Lions won their NFC North Division this year with a 12-5 record. Who made out better in the trade is still to be determined.
The Rams, sixth seed in the NFC this year, responded with a drive of their own that stalled deep in Lion territory and settled for a field goal.
The Lions responded with another 75-yard drive; the five-play drive ended with Jahmyr Gibbs 10-yard touchdown run. Gibbs, this year’s 1st round draft choice of the Lions, is part of the Stafford-Goff trade. In splitting carries with Montgomery this year, Gibbs rushed for over 900 yards with a 5.2 yards per carry average. The running back tandem was a big part of the Lions success this year.
Stafford responded in the 2nd quarter with a 50-yard touchdown pass to rookie sensation Puka Nacua. Nacua would have 8 catches for 181 yards during the game.
The Lions responded with a Goff to tight end Sam LaPorta for a touchdown in an action packed first half. The rookie who was questionable for the game, was a big part of the offense this year. He totaled 86 catches this season. Slowed by injuries, LaPorta had only three receptions in the game.
Matthew Stafford responded with a touchdown pass of his own before the 1st half ended.
Detroit Lion Defense holds
Each team had survived the shots from their opponent and came into their respective locker rooms scathed but still thinking they had a chance at victory. The suspect Detroit Lion defense made a few stops in the second half, forcing the Rams to settle for field goals. Neither team could sustain their momentum of the first half as the offenses gassed and sputtered in the 2nd half. Jared Goff, in completing 22 passes in 27 attempts for 277 yards became just the 4th Lions quarterback to win a playoff game since 1950, as the Lions escaped with a 24-23 victory.
The last time the Lions won a playoff game was 1992. A long time coming; the atmosphere of a championship fight finally returned and permeated the Detroit air.
Barry Schustermann
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