With a 1 point victory, the Lions stop the Rams’ epic losing run and win their first playoff game in 32 years.
Love throws three touchdown passes as the Packers defeat the Cowboys on the road to claim the wild card.
The Detroit Lions defeated Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams 24-23 on Sunday night to win a postseason game for the first time in thirty-two years thanks to a touchdown pass from Jared Goff and the completion of a game-winning first down against the team that cut him loose.
The NFL’s greatest postseason losing run, nine games, came to a stop on January 5, 1992, when the Lions (13-5) defeated Dallas. Two years later, they hosted and lost a home playoff game; they have not hosted one since.
For the first time in team history, Detroit will host two playoff games at home when they face Tampa Bay or Philadelphia in the divisional round on Sunday.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Rams (10-8) had a chance to go ahead, but Detroit’s defence held strong. Los Angeles was forced out of field goal range by a holding penalty, and Stafford, the former quarterback for the Lions who was traded to the Rams and went on to win a Super Bowl, completed an incomplete pass on fourth down.
As the Lions ran out the clock on the first play following the two-minute warning, Goff connected Amon-Ra St. Brown for 11 yards, much to the relief of long-suffering supporters who watched the team’s second post-season triumph since capturing the 1957 NFL title.
Midway through the second quarter, Goff put Detroit ahead 21-10 against the team he previously led to the Super Bowl. He was 22 of 27 for 277 yards and found rookie tight end Sam LaPorta for a two-yard touchdown throw. Three years ago, the Lions acquired Goff for Stafford and with two first-round picks.
Stafford went 25 of 36 for 367 yards and two touchdowns despite playing the most of the game with a bandaged and bleeding hand from slamming it into a defender’s helmet. Puka Nacua, a rookie who broke records, caught nine passes for 181 yards.
The Lions’ two running touchdowns came from youngster Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, while St. Brown had seven receptions for 110 yards.
