The Detroit Lions defeated the Los Angeles Rams 24-23 in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs on Sunday night to record their first postseason victory since defeating the Dallas Cowboys back in the 1991-92 season.
Detroit got out to a strong start in ruining Matthew Stafford’s postseason return to Ford Field and led the game 14-3 as the first quarter ended.
Stafford was originally welcomed back to his old stomping grounds to a chorus of loud boos when he first took the field.
The two-time Pro Bowler had spent the first 12 seasons of his NFL career playing in Detroit. Ahead of his return Detroit native and legendary rapper Eminem asked the QB for a ‘favor’ and if he could ‘let us have this one.’
Stafford’s kids were also seen wearing jackets that read ‘Born in Detroit Raised in LA’ on the back.
The Detroit Lions defeated the LA Rams 24-23 in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs
Rams QB Matthew Stafford ended the night going 25-36, 367 yards, and two touchdowns
Lions QB Jared Goff, who was traded for Stafford went 22-27, 277 yards, and a touchdown
Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs both scored touchdowns on the ground as Detroit built up the early lead.
Montgomery finished the game with 14 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown, while Gibbs ended the night with eight carries for 25 yards, and a touchdown to go along with four receptions for 43 yards.
Stafford and the Ram’s offense responded in the second quarter with touchdown passes to wide receivers Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell, as they were able to narrow the Lions advantage to 21-17 as the game entered halftime.
Stafford finished his spoiled homecoming going 25-36, 367 yards, and two touchdowns.
Nacua went on to set the NFL playoff record for most receiving yards by a rookie with 181 while hauling in a total of nine receptions.
Stafford and Goff exchanged a postgame hug with each other before walking off the field
Puka Nacua set an NFL playoff record for most receiving yards by a rookie with 181 yards
Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs scored Detroit’s two touchdowns
A closely fought third quarter resulted in both teams recording only field goals and entering the fourth quarter with Detroit narrowly holding on to a 24-20 lead on the scoreboard.
LA was only able to put fourth another field goal to bring them within one point of tying the game before being shut out the rest of the way by Detroit’s defense.
Amon-Ra St. Brown ended up being the most important player throughout the night for the Lions after snagging seven passes for 110 yards.
Lions QB Jared Goff who was traded to Detroit in exchange Stafford three years ago ended the night going 22-27, 277 yards, and a touchdown.
‘That’s the best home atmosphere I’ve played in front of,’ Goff said after the game.