Lions fend off Rams' second-half rally behind late Bates field goal, Montgomery's dominant overtime effort

Detroit — It wasn’t pretty, but the Detroit Lions managed to get the job done in their season opener at Ford Field Sunday night. After fending off a 14-point, second-half rally led by former quarterback Matthew Stafford, Lions kicker Jake Bates made a short field goal in the closing seconds to send the contest to overtime.

Winning the coin toss to begin the extra frame, the Lions rode hard-running tailback David Montgomery across the finish line to top the visiting Los Angeles Rams, 26-20.

Montgomery was a beast on the only series of overtime, breaking tackles and driving piles before plunging into the end zone for a one-yard score to cap the 8-play, 70-yard game-winning drive.

Scoring summary

First quarter

● 4:50 — 41-yard Joshua Karty field goal. Starting at his own 10-yard line, Stafford turned to the quick pass and completed six in a row to begin the possession. It was an uncharacteristically rough series for safety Brian Branch, who missed a diving attempt to break up a pass and whiffed on two tackles. The series reached the red zone before stalling thanks to a second-down sack for Levi Onwuzurike. RAMS 3, LIONS 0

Second quarter

● 12:17 — 25-yard Jake Bates field goal. The Lions responded with a 15-play, 63-yard series that started with seven consecutive runs, including six for Montgomery netting 28 yards. The starting back would add a fourth-and-2 conversion later in the series, and a 14-yard pass to Sam Laporta set the Lions up first-and-goal at the 10-yard line before the drive stalled. RAMS 3, LIONS 3

● 1:25 — 1-yard Jahmyr Gibbs touchdown run. After leaning heavily on the smashmouth components of the offense during the previous possession, the Lions turned to their speedsters this series. After taking over via a turnover on downs, Jameson Williams got things started with a 36-yard reception on a post pattern and added another 13 on an end-around.

Most of the remaining production went to Gibbs, who tallied 14 yards on a screen pass before three consecutive carries set up first-and-goal at the 3-yard line. Two plays later, Gibbs extended the ball across the goal line for the score. LIONS 10, RAMS 3

Third quarter

● 10:29 — 52-yard touchdown pass, Jared Goff to Williams. After the sides traded three-and-outs and punts to open the second half, the Lions came up with a quick strike to go up two touchdowns.

On third-and-2, Goff connected on a deep shot to Williams down the left sideline. The receiver ran through flag-generating illegal contact from cornerback Tre-Davious White — demonstrating improved play strength — before making the grab and coasting into the end zone. The catch gave Williams a new personal-best for receiving yards in a game. LIONS 17, RAMS 3

● 3:33 — Kyren Williams 2-yard touchdown run. The Lions' defense had done a good job getting off the field when presented with the opportunities leading up to this drive, but surrendered a 13-yard gain on a screen pass to Cooper Kupp on third-and-10, a 14-yard grab across the middle to Demarcus Robinson on fourth-and-4, and rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold was flagged for pass interference in the end zone for restricting Kupp, resulting in first-and-goal at the 2. That set up Williams’ scoring plunge through the tackle attempt of linebacker Derrick Barnes. LIONS 17, RAMS 10

Fourth quarter

● 12:32 — 26-yard Karty field goal. The Lions survived some struggles in the back end to hold the Rams to a field goal, thanks to a holding penalty that negated a tying touchdown.

Los Angeles moved into Detroit territory with a 63-yard catch and run by Tyler Johnson that ended the third quarter. The rushed throw was actually behind the receiver, causing cornerback Carlton Davis III to overrun the route and slip on the artificial surface while trying to recover. The Lions' problems were compounded when nickelback Amik Robertson took a bad angle and missed a tackle attempt in the open field.

A few plays later, Arnold was flagged for pass interference in the end zone a second time, this one a cheap call for hand-fighting with Robinson. But a scoring end-around two plays later was wiped off the board by a holding infraction, leaving the Rams to settle for a short field goal that sliced the Lions’ lead to four. LIONS 17, RAMS 13

● 4:30 — 9-yard pass, Stafford to Kupp. Stafford caught fire on the go-ahead drive, connecting on all eight of his passes, including a pretty 20-yarder to Kupp near the left sideline where the receiver was able to drag his back foot to get both feet in bounds.

On first-and-goal from the 9-yard line, the defense lost track of Kupp when he reversed direction during his pre-snap motion into the left flat, allowing him to come wide open for the easy touchdown. RAMS 20, LIONS 17

● 0:17— 32-yard Bates field goal. After the defense got a critical stop, the Lions opened with an 18-yard pass to LaPorta, running the post pattern, and were further aided by an unnecessary roughness infraction against Rams rookie safety Kamren Kinchens. That put the team in field goal range at the 2-minute warning. 

Gibbs got the Lions to the edge of the red zone with a third-down run, one play after Goff missed high on a likely touchdown toss to the dual-threat back. That offense didn't get much further than that, settling for the tying field goal with seconds remaining. LIONS 20, RAMS 20

Overtime

● 5:19 — The Lions kickstarted overtime with a 12-yard end-around to Kalif Raymond, followed by Montgomery bursting through a right-side hole for a 21-yard pickup into Bates' range.

Montgomery, seemingly getting stronger as the clock neared midnight, powered through several tackle attempts for 9 more, and the Lions broke into the red zone on a swing pass to Gibbs the next snap. 

The backs continued to power the offense to the finish, with Montgomery dragging the pile a few yards on a third-and-1 carry, giving the Lions first-and-goal at the 1. That set up the capping dive off right tackle for the victory.

Turnovers

● With the Rams threatening in the closing seconds of the first half, Lions safety Kerby Joseph undercut a second-and-goal throw into the end zone for an interception that preserved Detroit’s seven-point advantage at the break.

● Clinging to a four-point lead in the middle of the fourth quarter, the Lions surged into Rams territory behind a 27-yard pass to Williams. But two snaps after that grab, Goff threw a ball between receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and safety John Johnson. The two collided as the ball arrived and the defender somehow managed to hold on through the contact to secure the interception.

Key stats

Goff finished 18-of-28 for 217 yards, one touchdown and one interception, contrasted against Stafford’s 34-for-49 performance that included 317 yards, one touchdown and one pick.

Williams paced the Lions with a new career-high 121 yards, while Montgomery finished with 91 yards and the game-winning touchdown with 17 carries.

Kupp, seemingly healthy after battling injuries all of 2023, hauled in 14 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown.

Alex Anzalone led the Lions with 13 tackles, including three for losses.

Injuries

The Rams lost Nacua (knee) and guard Steve Avila (knee) to first-half injury. Offensive tackle Joe Notebook (ankle) also exited the game in the second quarter and didn’t return.

For the Lions, Jameson Williams and Arnold briefly exited with bumps, but both were able to quickly return to action.

Inactives

As expected after the Lions added Kyle Peko and Chris Smith to the game-day roster Saturday afternoon, DJ Reader was inactive for the opener. The run-stuffing defensive tackle will continue to work toward a Week 2 debut.

Also inactive for the Lions were safeties Ifeatu Melifwonwu and Loren Strickland, defensive end James Houston, linebacker Trevor Nowaske and offensive linemen Giovanni Manu and Colby Sorsdal.

Melifonwu entered the night listed as doubtful with an ankle injury, while Strickland had been previously ruled out with a thumb injury. The others were healthy scratches.

Next game

The Lions will stay home for another playoff rematch as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to town for a 1 p.m. matchup next Sunday. The visitors are off to a strong start to their season, thumping the Washington Commanders, 37-20, in Week 1.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield was sharp in the victory, completing 24-of-30 for 289 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions.