The Detroit Lions defeated the Los Angeles Rams 24-23 on Sunday night, earning their first playoff victory since January 5, 1992. Playing in front of a raucous sold-out crowd at Ford Field, the Lions fed off the energy of their long-suffering fanbase to exorcise over three decades of postseason futility.
Goff Bests Former Team in Duel With Stafford
In a quarterback matchup pitting Jared Goff against his former team and successor Matthew Stafford, it was Goff who emerged victorious. Traded away by the Rams two years ago, Goff outdueled Stafford by completing 21 of 29 passes for 224 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Showing veteran poise in his first career playoff start, Goff led a balanced Lions attack that compiled 367 total yards. He spread the ball around to 8 different pass catchers, with Amon-Ra St. Brown and DJ Chark each tallying 5 receptions. In the running game, Jamaal Williams gashed the Rams defense for 89 yards on 18 carries.
Meanwhile, Stafford struggled against his former team, throwing 2 interceptions compared to just 1 touchdown pass. The Rams offense failed to find a rhythm, punting 6 times. Stafford’s late 4th quarter rally came up just short, as he was unable to get into field goal range on the final drive.
| Quarter | Goff, DET | Stafford, LAR |
|---|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 21/29 | 28/42 |
| Passing Yards | 224 | 240 |
| Passing TD | 2 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 2 |
| QB Rating | 106.7 | 72.7 |
Lions Build Early Lead, Withstand Late Rally
Detroit set the tone early, marching 75 yards on 11 plays on the opening drive to take a 7-0 lead on Goff’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Brock Wright. The Lions extended their lead to 14-3 late in the 2nd quarter on Goff’s 5-yard scoring strike to DJ Chark.
Clinging to a 17-16 lead late into the 4th quarter, Goff engineered a clock-killing 13 play, 69 yard drive that culminated in Michael Badgley’s fourth field goal of the night to make it 20-16. Matthew Stafford moved the Rams into the red zone with under 2 minutes left, but his desperation 4th down heave was intercepted by Lions safety DeShon Elliott to seal the victory.
Ford Field Roars to Record Decibel Level
In their first home playoff game since 1993, Lions fans brought the noise to Ford Field. The crowd set a stadium record sound level of 130.1 decibels following a key defensive stop in the 4th quarter – equal to the sound of a military jet aircraft taking off.
Several Rams offensive linemen could be seen gesturing to the sideline and cupping their ears, unable to hear the play calls over the deafening din.
“This place was rocking. Our fans were absolutely insane from start to finish,” said Lions coach Dan Campbell. “I’ve never heard Ford Field that loud.”
Emotional Lions Fans Celebrate Long-Awaited Playoff Win
Sunday’s upset playoff victory touched off raw displays of emotion for the Lions faithful. Videos circulated on social media showing fans openly weeping with joy, culminating years of agony for the league’s losingest franchise over the past several decades.
Many Lions supporters have never even witnessed the team win a playoff game in their lifetime, as Detroit’s last postseason victory came over 32 years ago on January 5, 1992 against the Dallas Cowboys.
“This was a full circle moment for me and this team,” said Lion’s fan Zack Hill, who was shown with tears streaming down his face in one viral video. “We finally got the monkey off our backs.”
At bars and watch parties across Michigan, delirious fans chanted “Super Bowl! Super Bowl!” – a phrase no Detroiter has dared utter for decades. The outpouring of emotion reflected a burdensome history that Lions fans have endured patiently while remaining fiercely loyal during the team’s darker days.
For 89-year old Martha Firestone, who has held Lions seasons tickets since 1957, the magnitude of the long-awaited playoff triumph brought perspective: “I’ve seen a lot of sorrow as a Lions fan, but I can now die in peace.”
Playoff Run Just Beginning for Resurgent Lions
Riding high off Sunday night’s cathartic victory, coach Dan Campbell says this Lions team is “just getting started.” At 9-8, the Lions entered the playoffs as the NFC’s #7 seed after sweeping division rival Green Bay for the first time since 2014.
Quarterback Jared Goff has enjoyed a resurgent season under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, reducing turnovers while finding his groove in Detroit after last year’s 3-13-1 campaign. An influx of talent added through the draft has accelerated the Lion’s rebuild, headlined by rookie defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.
Detroit now advances to the NFC Divisional Round, where they’ll face a stiff test against either the #1 seeded Philadelphia Eagles or #2 seeded San Francisco 49ers.
While a Super Bowl championship remains a tall task, Campbell has infused the downtrodden Lions franchise with confidence and credibility during his second season at the helm. After such a cathartic playoff breakthrough, the future appears bright for both the team and its reconciliation with success-starved fans.
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