NFL playoffs: What We Learned from Lions’ win over Rams on Super Wild Card Weekend
1) Lions find a way to grind out a historic win. This one was 32 years in the making for Detroit, a city filled with fans yearning for a legitimate result to cheer for. They received it Sunday night, but not without some tense moments. The Lions jumped out to an early lead, firing on all cylinders offensively and putting 21 points on the board by the midpoint of the second quarter. But eventually, the chess match that is playoff football set in. The Lions scored just three points in the second half and needed every single one of them, breathing a sigh of relief when embattled kicker Mike Badgley drilled a 54-yarder to put their lead to 24-17. Aaron Glenn's defense finished the job from there, limiting the Rams to two short field goals after Los Angeles twice advanced deep into Detroit's red zone. And in classic Lions fashion, coach Dan Campbell's aggression showed in the way they closed out the game, dialing up a second-and-9 pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown to secure the final first down needed to run out the remaining clock. NBC cameras showed Lions fans crying in the stands in the final minute, joyful tears they've undoubtedly earned through decades of undying loyalty. Campbell's bunch returned the favor Sunday.
2) Matthew Stafford, Rams fall in valiant effort. Los Angeles entered a hostile environment Sunday in Detroit, where Ford Field was packed with 66,367 fans ready to let out 32 years' worth of frustration. Sean McVay, Stafford and Co. were undeterred by the boos, recovering from a few early blows dealt by the Lions to storm back, making it a 21-17 game with 4:02 left in the first half. Stafford was excellent all evening, completing 25 of 36 passes for 367 yards and shaking off a handful of brutal hits to stay on the
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