Lions vs. Rams score, key conclusions: Detroit defeats Los Angeles in its first playoff match in more than thirty years and advances.

The Detroit Lions are having a 1991-style party. After defeating the Los Angeles Rams 24–23 on Super Wild Card Weekend, the team ended the NFL’s longest playoff losing run (nine games in a row). The last time the Lions had a successful postseason until tonight, when they punched their ticket to the divisional round the following weekend, was in the divisional round versus Dallas in 1991.

Detroit got off to a blistering start in their first home playoff game since 1993, highlighted by a quick touchdown drive of 75 yards to start the game and seize the lead. Perfect on the first play, Jared Goff then led the Lions on two more scoring drives in the next two possessions.

to rack up 21 points in a hurry. The Rams were mostly holding serve in the first half, despite their prodigious scoring. It was a slugfest. After settling for a field goal on their first drive, they traded scores with Detroit until the half.

The second half saw a slowdown in scoring as neither team was able to find the end zone as defenses began to tighten up. In particular, the Lions defense kept Los Angeles to field goals in order to preserve the advantage during two red zone trips.

Goff completed 22 of 27 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown against his former Rams squad. His preferred receiver was Amon-Ra St. Brown, who hauled in the second half saw a slowdown in scoring as neither team was able to find the end zone as defenses began to tighten up. In particular, the Lions defense kept Los Angeles to field goals in order to preserve the advantage during two red zone trips.

Why the Rams lost

Los Angeles was a formidable opponent in the red zone. On the evening, the Rams entered the red zone three times, but they were unable to score a touchdown on any of those drives. The first occurred on their first drive of the night, getting the ball as far as the Lions’ 6-yard line before settling for a field goal. They were behind the eight-ball in the first half as Detroit opened the game with three straight touchdown drives thanks to that field goal. The difference in the game came from their inability to score a touchdown or tie it during back-to-back drives in the second half, even though they had possession of the ball at the 9- and 11-yard lines.

Why the Lions won

With a score on each of its first three drives, Detroit got off to a fast start in the game. With the Lions moving the ball up and down the field in the first half, Jared Goff was incredibly effective, finishing 16 of his 18 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown. During that span, he distributed the ball to five different pass catchers, and Detroit’s backfield produced two more touchdowns during that time: David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.

The defense took the lead in the second half and applied pressure to the Rams at crucial junctures, while the offense established the tone and gave them an early lead in the first half.On the first play of the third quarter, Aidan Hutchinson was able to put pressure on Stafford on back-to-back plays. This resulted in a crucial punt by Los Angeles to stymie any potential swing in momentum. Additionally, as they attempted to go ahead, the team bent but did not break, limiting the Rams to two field goals when they got down in the red zone.

Turning moment

The start of the second half turned out to be a crucial turning point in Detroit’s advantage. After trailing by just four points at the end of the first half, the Rams were prepared to start the game and hang in there. After just four plays, the Lions defense forced a punt, and the offense mounted a crucial 44-yard drive that ended in a field goal, which proved to be the winning field goal.

Goff avoided a three-and-out by hitting St. Brown for a huge 30-yard pass on the drive, which moved the Lions into Rams territory.

Next up

With this victory, the Lions will stay at Ford Field for the divisional round, where they will play the winner of the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Bucs game on Monday night. The game is scheduled for Sunday, January 21 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.