David Montgomery's 1-yard touchdown run in overtime propelled the Detroit Lions to a home victory against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. Montgomery finished with 91 yards, complementing his backfield partner Jahmyr Gibbs' 40 yards and a score.
The Lions move to 1-0, while the Rams drop to 0-1.
Detroit led much of the game thanks to Gibbs' rush, a 52-yard touchdown reception by receiver Jameson Williams and two field goals by Jake Bates, a rookie kicker making his NFL debut. Bates drilled a clutch 32-yarder with 17 seconds left to send his team into extra time.
See how the earlier games went
Lions quarterback Jared Goff finished 18-for-28 passing with 217 yards, one touchdown and one interception. While the night was big for Williams, star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was notably quiet, with three catches for only 13 yards.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was 34-for-49 passing for 317 yards, one touchdown and a pick. His lone score came late in the fourth quarter on a 9-yard pass to Cooper Kupp that put L.A. ahead until the final seconds.
Stafford played the second half without star wideout Puka Nacua, who was ruled out with a knee injury.
Goff, Stafford meet postgame
A ton of mutual respect between the signal-callers who were traded for each other only a few years ago.
Lions win on Montgomery's score
Detroit defeated Los Angeles 26-20 on David Montgomery's 1-yard score in overtime tonight. Montgomery finished the night with 91 yards and the score to push the Lions to 1-0.
Headed to OT
The Lions and the Rams are tied at 20, and we're going to overtime.
A brief refresher on the rules:
- Each team must possess the ball. The only exception is if the first team on offense scores a touchdown. A field goal will not end the game.
- Sudden death play — when the game ends on any score (safety, field goal or touchdown) — continues until a winner is decided.
- If the score is still tied at the end of the overtime period, the game will be recorded as a tie.
Lions tie it up with 20 seconds left
Detroit kicker Jake Bates, a rookie making his NFL debut, just drilled a 32-yarder with seconds remaining in regulation.
The game is tied at 20.
Lions force crucial punt with 2 minutes left
Stafford could not find Kupp on third-and-10, and the Rams were forced to punt. The Lions have the ball at their own 36-yard line with two minutes to play down three points.
Rams take lead on Kupp TD
Stafford led a 10-play, 80-yard drive that finished with a Kupp 9-yard score. The Rams lead 20-17 with 4:30 in the fourth quarter.
Kupp, who was often injured last season, appears to be fully healthy once again and is having a massive game with 13 catches for 105 yards.
Huge Rams turnover in fourth!
Goff, looking to hit St. Brown, threw it across the middle, but it was picked off by Rams safety John Johnson at the L.A. 20-yard line.
Huge opportunity for the Rams late in the matchup to take the lead.
Rams cut into deficit
The Rams thought they had a touchdown run by Jordan Whittington, but it was taken off the board on an offensive holding call. The Rams were pushed back 15 yards and ultimately could not find the end zone.
L.A. settled for a 26-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 17-13 with 12:32 left in the fourth quarter.
Kyren Williams punches it in
Stafford led an 11-play, 70-yard drive that finished with Williams scoring from 2 yards out.
Detroit leads 17-13 with 3:33 left in the third quarter.
Lions build on lead
Goff hit Jameson Williams deep for a 52-yard touchdown up the left sideline. Detroit leads 17-3 with 10:29 left in the third quarter.
