Sure, it took overtime, but the Detroit Lions showed real determination in the Rams win

It was a night where the wait was finally over and the hype was out of control. Detroit was pumped up and ready for primetime on national television, the streets were packed with fans, the parking lots were overflowing with tailgates, and everyone was running to Ford Field full of excitement and joy.

It was truly deafening.

And do you know what happened?

The Detroit Lions took advantage of the opportunity.

IMMEDIATE OBSERVATIONS: Detroit Lions survive overtime and beat LA Rams 26-20 in season opener

Fulfills the hype.

Sure, it took overtime.

Sure, in the end it was an incredible ride.

But this victory was marked by courage, determination, strength, speed and determination – and everything that can make this team special.

Detroit Lions 26, Los Angeles Rams 20.

One less.

Many more will follow.

Can your heart endure anything more like this?

WINDSOR: Detroit Lions finally remember their identity in overtime and defeat LA Rams in a 26-20 win

Wild End

It was a night when the game went into overtime, Eminem’s music blared from the speakers, the lights pulsed in the crowd, and everyone stood.

And the Lions brought Kalif Raymond into the game at the crucial moment. First try at 42. What a brilliant decision to start extra time.

Then came David Montgomery, full of power, squirting through a gap into Rams territory.

First attempt at the Rams 37.

Then he did it again, seemed to stop, but kept running, kept working – there is the determination, there is the strength.

It was as if this team wanted to win.

Then came the speed – Jared Goff to Jahmyr Gibbs for another first down.

They seemed unstoppable.

Then it became rugby as everyone started pushing Montgomery toward the goal line. The Rams defense collapsed. Exhausted. But the Lions were still strong. And on the next play, a touchdown. Montgomery scored the point and the win.

Sure, there were problems

It was a game in which the Lions overcame their own mistakes.

Late in the second quarter, Aidan Hutchinson was penalized for “unnecessary roughness on the passer” after hitting Matthew Stafford in the knees. It felt like one of those game-winning penalties, pushing the Rams into Lions territory. Before you knew it, Stafford was inside the 10 and firing balls into the end zone with less than 30 seconds left in the first half.

Then the defense hardened.

Stafford threw over the middle too late, lifted the ball into the back third and Kerby Joseph grabbed the interception.

Stafford placed both hands on his helmet.

And the Lions led 10-3 at halftime.

Jameson Williams was outstanding

It was a night when the Lions showed off their wonderful weapon: Jameson Williams.

Goff found him and fired it 26 yards over the middle. And they gave him the ball 14 yards around the right end where he took the ball deep into the red zone.

But he got injured and ended up lying on the grass. And the crowd started chanting: “Jameson!”

MORE ABOUT JAMESON: Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions seems ready for his breakthrough after just one game

Or maybe it was “Jay – Mo!”

Either way, it was confusing.

But the point was clear: We appreciate you. We love you!

He walked carefully off the field.

They taped his left ankle and he was back in the game after missing a play.

Of course, it was scary when he lay there and limped off the field.

But they taped him up and put him back in there.

And then? In the third quarter?

Williams danced in the end zone. Ankle? What ankle? He had a 52-yard touchdown.

Stop with the damn punishments

It was a night when Lions coach Dan Campbell told NBC at halftime: “No more penalties that cost us anything!”

And then?

So.

The Lions received more penalties, which cost them dearly.

A defensive pass interference by Terrion Arnold enabled the Rams’ first touchdown.

Here is the sand

It was a game in which this team fought for every inch.

On a touchdown run, Gibbs was hit way before the end zone. Maybe even on the 2 or 3. But he fought through and somehow stretched the ball out before it hit the turf. He did a real Houdini act, basically floating in the air and stretching the ball out – touchdown.

Great.

One second on the secondary

It was the night Detroit introduced its new secondary school.

And it wasn’t perfect.

It’s never a secondary. But they made just enough plays, blocked just enough passes, covered just enough receivers and limited Stafford to just 3 points in the first half.

Catch the damn ball

It was a night full of near misses.

How many near interceptions did the Lions have?

Three?

And Goff had Williams free in the end zone, but missed him.

Just wow

It was a night full of drama.

This game was a yo-yo of emotions.

Up and down.

The Rams scored 17 points in a row and took a 20-17 lead with 4:30 minutes left.

But the Lions held firm.

They did it. They made the plays when they had to make them.

One done. Still a long way to go.

What a start.

Contact Jeff Seidel: [email protected] or follow him @seideljeff.