DETROIT (AP) — Jared Goff threw for a touchdown, got the game-clinching first down against the team that ejected him, and the Detroit Lions lost Matthew Stafford and L.A. – Won a playoff game for the first time in 32 years by defeating Matthew. Sunday night, the Rams were 24-23.
The Lions (13-5) ended their postseason losing streak at nine games, the longest in NFL history since a Jan. 5, 1992 victory over Dallas. They lost a home playoff game two years later and missed the host game. One since then.
Detroit will play two playoff games at home for the first time in franchise history, hosting either Tampa Bay or Philadelphia in the divisional round next Sunday.
The Rams (10-8) had a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, but Detroit's defense held out. A holding penalty forced Los Angeles into field goal range, and Stafford, the longtime Lions quarterback who won a Super Bowl after being traded to the Rams, threw an incompletion on fourth down.
AP Photo/Duane Burleson
On the first play after the two-minute warning, Goff hit Amon-Ra St. Brown for 11 yards, giving the Lions time to run out. Long-suffering fans were elated as they witnessed the team's second postseason victory since the victory. 1957 NFL title.
AP Photo/Paul Sancia
Against the team he once led to the Super Bowl, Goff went 22-of-27 for 277 yards and threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Sam LaPorta midway through the second quarter in Detroit. took a 21-10 lead. The Lions acquired Goff and Stafford for two first-round picks three years ago.
Stafford played much of the game bandaged and bloody after slamming his hand into a defender's helmet, but completed 25 of 36 for 367 yards and two touchdowns. Record-breaking rookie Puka Nacua had nine receptions for 181 yards.
David Montgomery and rookie Jahmil Gibbs each scored a rushing touchdown for the Lions, and St. Brown had seven receptions for 110 yards.
The Lions scored on their first two drives and took a 14-3 lead.
The Rams pulled within 21-17 at halftime thanks to Stafford's 50-yard touchdown pass to Nacua and 38-yard touchdown pass to Tutu Atwell.
Michael Badgley's season-long 54-yard field goal gave the Lions a seven-point lead midway through the third quarter.
The Rams had the ball at their disposal for much of the game, but it took Brett Maher's short field goals on drives late in the third and midway through the fourth to get within 24-23 with 8:10 left. I had to be satisfied with that.
Stafford has made a career out of fourth-quarter comebacks, a fact fans at Ford Field were well aware of. With a chance to put the Rams ahead for the first time, he led a drive to the Detroit 34, but was forced back by the Lions' defense from there.
Detroit took over with 4:07 remaining, and Los Angeles had only one timeout left after calling two early in the first half to deal with the large crowd that sounded like a siren. This allowed Goff to hit his knee after throwing to St. Brown.
The Lions got off to a strong start and looked as energetic as the fans who have endured all these years with the Motor City rapper. eminem in the house With Hall of Fame players barry sanders and calvin johnson.
Fans booed Stafford as he ran onto the field, posed for a pregame photo with his wife and daughters, and shouted “Jah Ed Goff!” Jaed Goff, the Lions' third-year quarterback.
injury
Rams: Stafford was taped up after suffering a cut on his right hand in the second quarter and slowly left the field after being attacked by two Lions late in the third. …RB Kyren Williams injured his hand in the fourth quarter. … TE Tyler Higbee limped off the field in favor of his right leg after taking a low hit in the fourth inning. …S Jordan Fuller, the team's No. 2 tackler, was listed as questionable with an ankle injury and was ruled out.
Lions: WR/KR Kalife Raymond, TE James Mitchell, and CB Jerry Jacobs are inactive.
