The Lions stopped playing cute once they won the coin toss and elected to host to start overtime against the Rams.
Detroit led for most of three quarters of its Sunday Night Football matchup with Los Angeles before Matthew Stafford mounted a surgical attack midway through the fourth quarter.
The Rams quarterback carved up his former team, targeting star receiver Cooper Kupp repeatedly until he scored a go-ahead touchdown with 4:30 left to put Los Angeles ahead, 20-17.
After a series of failed attacks, the Lions tied the game on a 32-yard field goal from rookie kicker Jake Bates to force overtime.
Once Detroit won the coin toss and elected to home, head coach Dan Campbell went back to playing tough, physical football. Here’s how the Lions pulled off a 26-20 overtime victory over the Rams.
Lions win over Rams in overtime
The Lions had only one game plan in mind once they got the ball to start overtime: run the ball down the Rams’ throats and end the game with a touchdown.
Detroit made some big plays through the air with Jameson Williams having five receptions, 122 yards and a touchdown, but Goff had some shaky throws in the fourth quarter.
It was clear Campbell wanted to play full-on football with the game on the line, and it worked.
The Lions needed just eight plays to drive 70 yards to the end zone and clinch the win. Five of those eight plays were runs between David Montgomery’s tackles.
Campbell opened the drive with a jet sweep to receiver Kalif Raymond for a gain of 12, but that was the only touch of flair.
Montgomery ran for 30 yards on the next two carries, then Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 10 yards on a catch from the backfield and three more on the ground.
David Montgomery runs for 21 yards!
?: #LARvsDET on NBC/Peacock
? : Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/gMqsr2cRu7— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2024
Campbell went right back to Montgomery after a short break, forcing the power play back until he found the end zone.
The Lions’ offensive line moved the Rams’ defensive front on every snap. Montgomery faced a decisive third-and-1 at the Los Angeles nine-yard line and drove eight yards further to the one-yard line.
Campbell went right back to a simple diving play as Montgomery scored the winning touchdown with ease.
David Montgomery runs for the @Lions earn! pic.twitter.com/iKUEHAvgMK
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2024
Using Jahmyr Gibbs Against David Montgomery
The Lions’ backfield could only be described as a committee last year, although Gibbs began to break through when Montgomery suffered a hamstring injury late in the regular season.
Given Gibbs’ status as the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, fans and fantasy managers alike expected him to take the reins as the true RB1 this season. After one game, it appears this backfield will still be a tandem.
| against the Rams | CAR | RUSH YDS | TDs RUSH | REC | YDS REC |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | 11 | 40 | 1 | 4 | 34 |
| David Montgomery | 17 | 91 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Montgomery finished with more carries and total touches than Gibbs, although Gibbs outgained Montgomery until the final overtime.
Campbell clearly still likes to play to the strengths of both running backs, relying on Gibbs for outside runs and passes and Montgomery for work between the tackles.
Gibbs fantasy managers can breathe a little easier knowing their star back still managed a goal-line touchdown, but get used to seeing Montgomery wallow in goal-line runs all season, because if overtime is any indication, his usage isn’t going anywhere.
After the last ride on Sunday night, why would he do it?
