There was only one way to end the first full Sunday of NFL games: overtime.
The Detroit Lions started the season on the right foot by beating the Los Angeles Rams 26-20 in a thrilling finale.
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Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) celebrates his 52-yard touchdown reception with quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Detroit got the ball first in the overtime period and didn't allow Los Angeles to get a play on offense. Two running plays set the tone for the drive. Khalif Raymond picked up a first down on the first carry of a jet sweep. David Montgomery then took the ball 21 yards into Rams territory.
Jared Goff then threw a pass to Jahmyr Gibbs for a 10-yard gain. At that point, the Lions could smell the end zone.
Montgomery had a few more carries and eventually found the end zone for a score. He finished with 91 rushing yards. Gibbs added 40 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Goff completed 18 of 28 passes with 217 yards, one touchdown pass and one interception.
The Lions had a fairly large lead early in the third quarter. Goff threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Williams with 10:29 left in the quarter, putting Detroit up 17-3.
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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) can't hold on to a pass as Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III (23) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
It was at that point that the Rams needed to pull out all the stops and get back into the game.
Stafford led the Rams on an 11-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a Kyren Williams touchdown to cut the deficit to seven points. Rams kicker Joshua Karty added a 26-yard field goal and then Stafford found Cooper Kupp for a 9-yard touchdown.
On the Lions' final drive, Goff got Detroit back within field goal range and Jake Bates kicked a 32-yard field goal to tie the game. The score was 20-20 as the game went into overtime.
Williams finished with five receptions for 121 yards.
Stafford had a spectacular game for the Rams. He appeared more for Los Angeles in the second half than in the first. He finished the game with 317 passing yards, one touchdown pass and one interception.
The Rams' offense took a hit early in the game when Puka Nacua left the game with a knee injury. He did not return.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
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Kupp had to step up in his absence. He had 14 receptions on 21 attempts for 110 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Johnson had five receptions for 79 yards.
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