Draft:2024 Detroit Lions vs Los Angeles Rams Playoff game

The 2023 Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Rams playoff game was an 2024 NFL postseason game. The game was close throughout, with a 21-17 score at halftime and a 24-23 final score in favor of the Lions. This was the first time that Detroit had been in the playoffs since 2016. The game ended a 32 year playoff win Drought for the Lions and a 9 game playoff losing streak as well. For the Rams, it had only been since 2021, their Super Bowl year, that they had been in the playoffs.

The Quarterback trade

Three years earlier, the Lions and Rams had traded for each other's quarterbacks, with Jared Goff going from the Rams to the Lions, and Matthew Stafford going from the Lions to the Rams. Stafford won the Super Bowl in his first year, while the Lions and Jared Goff went 3-13-1 That year. There was some speculated animosity in the trade, though both quarterbacks do not seem to have any open aggression towards their original team.

Game summary

First quarter

The Rams won the toss, deferred, and the Lions got the ball to start. The Lions Drove 75 yards on the First drive, with David Montgomery scoring the game's first touchdown, and Michael Badgley kicked the extra point good, putting the game at 7-0 In favor of Detroit. The Rams then got the ball, and drove 69 yards down the field, however, were unable to get into the endzone, and they settled for a 24 yard field goal by Brett Maher. The kick was good, and the Rams put themselves on the board, with a score of 7-3, Detroit still leading. The Lions Drove 75 yards, scoring another touchdown, this time by Jahmyr Gibbs. Michael Badgley's extra point was good, making it a 14-3 game in favor of Detroit. On the next drive, The Rams struggled to start, but would begin driving down the field to end the first quarter.

Second quarter

Early in the second quarter, the Rams would score on a 50 yard pass from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua. Brett Maher Kicked the extra point good, and the Rams cut the Lions lead to 4, in a 14-10 ball game. The Lions responded however, Driving 75 yards for another Touchdown, this one on 4th and Goal to Sam Laporta, with Badgley kicking the extra point good, making it 21-10 in favor of the Lions. The Rams responded quickly, with their offense driving down the field and Matthew Stafford throwing a 38 yard Touchdown to Tutu Atwell, with the extra point being good, making it a 21-17 game in favor of Detroit. Just before halftime, there was a controversial call on Taylor Decker, where a Rams player appeared to jump offsides on a 4th and 5, however Taylor Decker was called for a false start, causing the Lions to punt. The Rams only picked up 13 yards from their own 5, and the game went to halftime.

Third quarter

The third quarter started with the Rams getting the ball, and The Rams would have their first punt of the game after a sack by Aidan Hutchinson and two incompletions. The Lions drove downfield but would have to settle for a 54 yard field goal. Badgley kicked it through, and the Lions lead hit seven points, at a 24-17 ball game. The Rams drove downfield again, but yet again their offense sputtered, and they would settle for another field goal. Maher's 27 yard field goal was good, and the Lions' lead was cut to 4, at a 24-20 game.

Fourth quarter

Both offenses began to struggle immensely in the fourth quarter. after a punt by Detroit, the Rams yet again drove down the field, but yet again failed to get into the endzone, kicking another field goal, this one to cut the lead to 1 with 8:13 left in the game. after another punt by Detroit, the Rams would get inside Detroit territory, however after offensive holding was called on Rob Havenstein on a third and four, the Rams were pushed out of field goal range. Stafford threw a deep throw to Puka Nacua, and though the pass was incomplete, there was some controversy after the game as if there was pass interference on that play. the Rams punted, and Detroit picked up a first down, before kneeling the ball and winning the game.

Aftermath

After the game, the Lions would go on to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 in the divisional round, but would go on to lose 34-31 to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game. The Rams would go on to win their Division the year after. The teams rematched in week one of the following season, with the Lions winning 26-20 in OT.

References

https://sports.yahoo.com/detroit-lions-earn-first-playoff-win-in-32-years-hold-on-to-beat-rams-040221830.html https://www.detroitlions.com/news/four-downs-goff-leads-lions-to-playoff-victory-over-rams https://apnews.com/article/lions-rams-score-playoffs-stafford-goff-f5fd70546e6e7aa2f1c1da20687b8d02 https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401547753 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202401140det.htm