The Detroit Lions ended a nine-game postseason losing streak with a 24-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
It was the first home playoff game since 1994 and featured the return of Matthew Stafford who was traded to the Rams for QB Jared Goff and a host of draft capital that has become the core of this Lions team.
“It means a whole lot to this city,” Goff said. “We knew what it meant when this season started to get into the playoffs and then to get this win. And, you know, it’s just the beginning for us. We’ve got some run left.”
“Going into this game, I had two things I was playing for: I was playing for my teammates and I was playing for the city,” said Hutchinson, who grew up in Detroit and played at Michigan. “This city has been so deserving of this for so long, and we’re going to keep it up.”
Lions making history
Much was made of the battle between the QB’s in the build up, and much of it continued after the Lions won the day.
“Jared was really efficient. You could see the command that he has,” said Rams head coach Sean McVay. “There’s a lot made of it, but I’m really happy for him. We wanted to come away with a win, but he’s done a great job.”
“I wouldn’t want anyone else as our quarterback other than Matthew Stafford,” McVay said. “He was outstanding. He was gritty. He was gutsy and made tough throw after tough throw. The rush was barreling down on him, and he stood in there and was dropping dimes all day.”
The Lions will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the divisional round next week.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 22 | 23 |
| Passing 1st downs | 15 | 16 |
| Rushing 1st downs | 4 | 6 |
| 1st downs from penalties | 3 | 1 |
| 3rd down efficiency | 3-9 | 3-9 |
| 4th down efficiency | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| Total Plays | 55 | 55 |
| Total Yards | 425 | 334 |
| Total Drives | 8 | 8 |
| Yards per Play | 7.7 | 6.1 |
| Passing | 357 | 255 |
| Comp-Att | 25-36 | 22-27 |
| Yards per pass | 9.4 | 8.5 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 0 |
| Sacks-Yards Lost | 2-10 | 3-22 |
| Rushing | 68 | 79 |
| Rushing Attempts | 17 | 25 |
| Yards per rush | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| Red Zone (Made-Att) | 0-3 | 3-3 |
| Penalties | 4-36 | 5-34 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Fumbles lost | 0 | 0 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 0 |
| Defensive / Special Teams TDs | 0 | 0 |
| Possession | 30:05 | 29:55 |
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