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Highlights, TV channel, injury report

By Hudson Brooklyn
Highlights, TV channel, injury report

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The Detroit Lions are back tonight against a familiar foe in Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams

The Lions kick off Week 1 of their 2024 NFL season with lofty expectations after returning most of the coaching staff and roster that won the NFC North, and came a game short of the franchise’s first-ever Super Bowl appearance last season.

The Rams have revenge on their minds after being bounced by the Lions in the playoffs in January. The Lions held them off, 24-23, for the franchise’s first postseason win since the 1991 season (32 years) in front of a rabid Ford Field fanbase. The Lions look to start their 2024 campaign the same way.

Watch Lions vs. Rams live on Peacock

The game kicks off at 8:20 p.m. at Ford Field. It is the Sunday Night Football game airing on NBC and can also be streamed on Fubo (free trial).

Check out the live updates from Ford Field below.

MAKE YOUR PICK: Lions player survey reveals the teammate they think is in store for huge year

Lions vs. Rams live updates, game highlights

TEAMS 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q F
RAMS 3 0 7
LIONS 0 10 7

The Rams immediately broke a big play to reach Lions territory. Stafford hit Tyler Johnson on a short crossing route and he stopped on a dime to fake out Carlton Davis and Brian Branch, then raced 63 yards down the field to put L.A. in scoring position instantly. The Rams moved into the red zone on the next play, then reached the Lions’ 2 after Terrion Arnold committed his second pass interference penalty in the end zone in as many drives.

However, the Rams couldn’t punch it in this time. Aidan Hutchinson and Branch stood up Kyren Williams at the goal line on first-and-goal, then the Rams committed two holding penalties that pushed them back and forced them to settle for a 26-yard field goal from Joshua Karty.

The Rams answered with their first touchdown of the game to keep the deficit to one possession. LA took seven minutes off the clock on the 11-play, 70-yard drive that ended with Williams punching in a touchdown from the 2-yard line after Terrion Arnold was flagged for pass interference in the end zone. Arnold briefly left the game for an apparent lower body injury, missed a few plays, then came back in and committed the penalty on his first snap.

The Rams had three passes go for 10 yards or more on the drive to move the sticks and keep the drive alive. Stafford has completed 22 of 33 attempts for 165 yards against the Lions secondary.

Jameson Williams is delivering on the offseason hype. The speedster fought through an illegal contact penalty from Tre’Davious White in one-on-one coverage to break as wide open as possible. Goff went through his progressions then fired a looping pass down the left sideline slightly behind Williams, who was so wide open he had plenty of time to turn, make the catch and get into the end zone. Williams has three catches for 89 yards, good for a 29.7-yard average per touch.

The Lions will have a touchdown lead heading into the break thanks to an interception in the end zone by Kerby Joseph as the Rams were threatening. The Rams had it at Detroit’s 8-yard line looking to equalize, but Stafford rushed a throw off his backfoot trying to find Tyler Johnson in the back of the end zone. The pass fluttered on him and floated into Joseph’s hands as he cut in front of the route.

The Rams picked up two first downs on the drives thanks to the Lions’ penalties. The first was an offsides penalty against Marcus Davenport and the second was a roughing the passer penalty on Aidan Hutchinson because he hit Stafford low as he threw the ball.

The Lions scored the first touchdown after the turnover on downs with a nine-play, 77-yard drive that ended with Gibbs powering through a pile of Rams defenders on the goal line. The Lions ran a power left and Gibbs cut up inside the right side of the offensive line and stretched out over the goal line. He was initially ruled down at the 1-yard line, but a review determined he broke the goal line.

The drive started with a 36-yard completion to Jameson Williams on a deep crosser and run after the catch down the left sideline. The Lions picked up 27 more yards on a pair of screens to Gibbs and Williams on the next two plays, then got inside the 10-yard line on an 8-yard Gibbs run. He punched it in three plays later from the 1.

Carlton Davis has been solid in his first career Lions game, mainly matching up with Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua on the sideline. He had the biggest play of the first half so far when he worked around Kupp and knocked a pass out of his hands on 4th down from the Lions’ 29-yard line. The Lions were struggling to stop the Rams’ rushing attack, but came up with two pass deflections inside their own 30 to get the stop. Brian Branch made a full-diving deflection on first down to stop another potential Kupp completion.

The Lions had a 15-play, 63-yard drive that ended with a successful 25-yard field goal by Jake Bates. It is the first career field goal and NFL points for Bates. The Lions took 7:33 off the clock with a powerful running game powered primarily by David Montgomery. Montgomery had eight runs for 33 yards on the drive and picked up multiple first downs in third-and-short situations.

The Lions moved the ball inside the Rams’ 10-yard line, but couldn’t break into the end zone. A completion to Amon-Ra St. Brown moved the ball to the 4-yard line, but Montgomery was stuffed on the next play and Goff missed LaPorta in the end zone on third down.

The Rams’ second drive ended with a field goal from 41 yards out. Los Angeles ran 13 plays on the drive with 11 passes and were able to move the ball by stretching the Lions’ defense wide with short passes. Colby Parkinson and Cooper Kupp were Stafford’s favorite targets on the drive.

The Rams seemed prime to put together a touchdown drive, but Levi Onwuzurike and Marcus Davenport beat the left side of the Rams’ offensive line on second down from the Detroit 19 and pulled Stafford down for a sack that ultimately killed the drive.

Both high-powered offenses started with three plays and a punt. The Rams got the ball first, but did not move the ball at all. Alex Anzalone picked up a pair of tackles at the line of scrimmage to stop a running back dump-off and wide receiver screen.

The Lions returned the favor by picking up six yards on a David Montgomery run followed by a short completion to Amon-Ra St. Brown, but Jared Goff was sacked on third down. Rams edge rusher Byron beat Kevin Zeitler to the inside on a stunt.

The Lions’ quarterback was greeted with a king’s welcome as he and the offense ran onto the field for warmups. Goff led the team out to a resounding cheer that slowly morphed into ‘JA-RED GOFF’ chants that lasted for a few moments.

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Detroit Lions fans hyped as Jared Goff enters Ford Field before season opener

Jared Goff enters Ford Field for warmups just under an hour before kickoff, Lions fans respond by chanting his name before Rams opener, Sept. 8, 2024.

Minutes later, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense were treated with a wall of boos from early arriving fans.

Defensive tackle D.J. Reader is inactive for the Lions’ season opener Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams after spending all offseason. Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, defensive end James Houston, safety Loren Strickland, linebacker Trevor Nowaske, guard Colby Sorsdal and offensive tackle Gio Manu also are inactive for the Lions.

The Detroit Lions have arrived and are going through initial warmups two hours before kickoff. Of course, the Lions’ social media team of how the team showed up.

Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez broke out a Lions poncho to make a case for outfit of the night.

It’s no surprise Lions fans were partying well in advance of the 8:20 p.m. kickoff, with tailgaters venturing into Detroit early and from hours away to pack the city.

Fans filled the streets and parking lots at Eastern Market by early afternoon, sporting Honolulu Blue and white Lions hats and shirts, while Lions flags from motor vehicles filled the Motor City streets.

Pregame notes

The Lions return nine starters on offense and eight on defense from last season’s squad that finished 12-5, won the NFC North and won two playoff games before blowing a 24-7 halftime lead to San Francisco in the NFC championship game.

The main place the team looks different is in the secondary by trading for Carlton Davis, signing Amik Robertson, and then drafting Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. with their top two picks. They also signed defensive tackle D.J. Reader and edge rusher Marcus Davenport to strengthen the pass rush.

The Lions will have their hands full with the Rams offense led by Stafford and the star wide receiving duo of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. The Rams lost future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald to retirement, and but have other tough pass rushers led by Kobie Turner, who will be up against veteran right guard Kevin Zeitler, making his Lions debut.

THE GAME: Lions vs. Rams scouting report, prediction

What time is the Lions vs. Rams game?

  • Date: Sunday, Sept. 8.
  • Time: 8:20 p.m.
  • Where: Ford Field, Detroit.

What channel is the Lions vs. Rams game?

Who is announcing the Lions vs. Rams game?

  • Play-by-play: Mike Tirico (Ann Arbor resident).
  • Analyst: Cris Collinsworth.
  • Sideline reporter: Melissa Stark.

SHAWN WINDSOR: This Detroit Lions opener is a moment decades in the making

Lions vs. Rams predictions

Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press: The Lions should win this game, but Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay have had eight months to plan their revenge against a reworked but unproven Lions defense. No Aaron Donald for the Rams is balanced by no Kelly Stafford in attendance. Let’s see how much Dan Campbell trusts rookie Jake Bates’ big leg. The pick: Rams 28, Lions 26.

The Free Press staff was split on the winner.

Lions vs. Rams betting odds

Odds according to BetMGM as of Sunday afternoon:

  • Spread: Lions by 4½ points.
  • Over/under: 53½ points.
  • Moneyline: Lions -225; Rams +180.

Lions vs. Rams injury report

Lions:

  • S Loren Strickland (thumb, out).
  • S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle, doubtful).
  • DT D.J. Reader (quadriceps, questionable).

Melifonwu came on late last season and is slated to be a starter. Reader was a free-agent addition who is expected to plug the middle, but is recovering from a season-ending torn quad suffered with Cincinnati. Strickland, an undrafted rookie out of Ball State, earned a job as a reserve after impressing in this summer.

Rams:

  • OT Rob Havenstein (ankle, questionable).

Dan Campbell: Lions’ D.J. Reader ‘looked pretty good’ in practice, questionable for Rams

Detroit Lions schedule 2024

  • Sunday, Sept. 8: L.A. Rams, 8:20 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 15: Tampa Bay, 1
  • Sunday, Sept. 22: at Arizona, 4:25
  • Monday, Sept. 30: Seattle, 8:15
  • Oct. 6: Bye
  • Sunday, Oct. 13: at Dallas, 4:25
  • Sunday, Oct. 20: at Minnesota, 1
  • Sunday, Oct. 27: Tennessee, 1
  • Sunday, Nov. 3: at Green Bay, 4:25
  • Sunday, Nov. 10: at Houston, 8:20
  • Sunday, Nov. 17: Jacksonville, 1
  • Sunday, Nov. 24: at Indianapolis, 1
  • Thursday, Nov. 28: Chicago, 12:30
  • Thursday, Dec. 5: Green Bay, 8:15
  • Sunday, Dec. 15: Buffalo, 4:25
  • Sunday, Dec. 22: at Chicago, 1
  • Monday, Dec. 30: at San Francisco, 8:15
  • TBA: Minnesota, TBA
  • Feb. 9, Super Bowl LIX: in New Orleans

Find Lions home game tickets on Stubhub

LA Rams schedule 2024

  • Sunday, Sept. 8: at Detroit, 8:20 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 15: at Arizona, 4:05
  • Sunday, Sept. 22: San Francisco, 4:25
  • Sunday, Sept. 29: at Chicago, 1
  • Sunday, Oct. 6: Green Bay, 4:25
  • Oct. 12: Bye
  • Sunday, Oct. 20: Las Vegas, 4:05
  • Thursday, Oct. 24: Minnesota, 8:15
  • Sunday, Nov. 3: at Seattle, 4:25
  • Monday, Nov. 11: Miami, 8:15
  • Sunday, Nov. 17: at New England, 1
  • Sunday, Nov. 24: Philadelphia, 8:20
  • Sunday, Dec. 1: at New Orleans, 4:05
  • Sunday, Dec. 8: Buffalo, 4:25
  • Thursday, Dec. 12: at San Francisco, 8:15
  • Sunday, Dec. 22: at New York Jets, 1
  • TBA: Arizona, TBA
  • TBA: Seattle, TBA
  • Feb. 9, Super Bowl LIX: in New Orleans

Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press covering the city’s professional teams, the state’s two flagship universities and more. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22, and email him at [email protected].

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