The Detroit Lions secured their first play-off triumph in thirty-two years, holding on for a 24-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
When Dan Campbell’s squad won the first postseason game to be played in Motor City in 30 years, several of the long-suffering Lions supporters, including artist Eminem, broke down in tears.
That also ended Detroit’s nine-game losing streak, which was the longest losing streak in NFL history during the playoffs.
The Green Bay Packers shocked everyone earlier on Sunday by defeating the Dallas Cowboys 48–32 in the first round of the playoffs this year.
The Packers, who have the lowest seed in the NFC Conference, will undoubtedly play the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round next week.
The Lions will play their next two games at home on Monday, ending the wildcard weekend against either Tampa Bay or Philadelphia.
The Rams acquired Matthew Stafford in 2021 in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff and three draft picks; hence, Detroit’s victory became the first play-off game in which both starting quarterbacks had previously played for the rival team.
The 35-year-old Stafford was jeered upon his first visit back to Ford Field, despite winning the Super Bowl in his first season in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Goff, who lost favor after guiding the Rams to Super Bowl 53, has found success in Detroit.
The 29-year-old has contributed to the Lions’ turnaround, and even though they were playing in front of a raucous home crowd, they got off to an actual head start. Following a Rams field goal, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs both tumbled into the end zone in the first quarter.
After a shootout between the two quarterbacks—both past first-round picks—in the second quarter, Detroit led 21–17 at the half.
Puka Nacua, a receiver for Los Angeles, maintained his incredible rookie campaign with a 50-yard touchdown before Goff hit Sam LaPorta for a touchdown and Stafford found Tutu Atwell for a 38-yard score.
After Detroit added a field goal in the third quarter, LA kicked two more to close the gap to one point with eight minutes remaining. But the celebrations could begin after Stafford was unable to bring the Rams into a scoring position on their final possession.
