NFL LIVE🔴 Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions | Week 1 NFL Full Game - 8th September 2024 NFL 25

it's the NFL on EA Sports where we'll see two of the NFL's oldest and most stored franchises it's the Los Angeles Rams and the Detroit Lions on Sunday night Prime Time first open in 2002 there's a look inside Ford Field here in downtown Detroit the Motor City up in the boo with Charles Davis I'm Brandon G and kickoff Straight Ahead CD thing that you're going to have your eye on I think about what the greates of the always the key to game can you rush their and protect yours in this Cas both of these teams get after the quarterbacks I'm watching the pass rush here's the rookie from Stanford Joshua cardi to get us started and we are underway from Ford Field oh a dangerous Return Man showing it here solid return pretty good field position they'll start at the 32 out come the Lions for their first drive behind their year quarterback in year number four with Detroit it's Jared gof it's hardly an exaggeration to say that gof has revitalized his career these last couple of years and he was rewarded for it during the off seon as Detroit has certainly made sure everyone knows he's their quarterback for the future it's clear that they believe in him and he's done nothing to sway them from that belief from the 32 now here's first and 10 they start things off with a carry by Gibbs here the game's first play produces six yards brings up second down a quick burst there and he nicely bit off a pretty decent gain this second and four [Music] throw to S brown complete on the left side and he slips up past the 45 before being tackled off to S brown for the Detroit first down with these run pass options we often talk about a good quarterback and running back well having a talented wide receiver helps also yeah even coming in third in the discussion sometimes that means he really should be first because all you want to do is get the ball in their hands and let them make the big plays down field short pass here taken in by Lea and he's got this down to the 35 now an injured player here so a stoppage and that's Jameson Williams who's shaken up the medical staff is going to come out here and take a look and we will take a short break so from Rams territory now it's first and 10 at the 35 yd line they'll bring a receiver in motion [Music] right throw caught by Raymond and he gets it down a yard or two shy of the 30 before he's out of bounds and just three yards on the catch there he couldn't get away and that will bring up second down they will run for the first time with David Montgomery and inside the 20 before he's brought down it's a gain of 14 and a first down for Detroit quite the opening drive March they're on right now it looks a lot like what we saw in practice prior to the game doesn't it you know because on that last big practice beforehand you go through your offensive script you go through your play calling you go through all the stuff and establish things and it looks like it's going like clockwork right now for them first down they run again here's Montgomery and he's brought down just outside of the 10 at the 11 it's a 6yd pickup and it gets him to Second and four Brandon All Things Considered they have to feel pretty good about getting that type of a gain considering the blitz that they just had against them here now second and four four they'll try to run wide side with Montgomery and he's going to be brought down just shy of the five at the six a five yd gain there makes it first and goal they've taken this opening kickoff and marched it right down the field defensively not much resistance and that's the point because my admiration is for the guys moving the ball right now they know what they're doing their plan is working but I flip it over and watch and say okay okay what are you going to do to change things up because if you don't they going to put that ball in the end zone real soon and he's going to press this one forward as they stop him right around the one a good run of six yds there gets him closer to the goal line with second down coming up that's a great run right there on first down didn't quite get into the end zone but now you've set yourself up for at least two maybe three more shots from close range Montgomery he is going nowhere a hurry as he is going to lose yardage here in a big way this will be a loss of three and now a much tougher third down looming driven it down the field nicely here on the opening drive but now it's put up or shut up no doubt about it because to make that type of a drive and ultimately kick a field goal would feel very disappointing but I'm just wondering is the head coach thinking is this four down territory Mighty go for it toward the end zone but that's going to wind up incomplete you can already start to hear This Crowd they're saying and go go for it yeah have we ever been at a game where you've heard the crowd go field goal field goal no I have not that's a good point yeah they always want to go for it and I think they've got the right idea right now the way they've moved the ball in this drive I wouldn't stop that momentum go get it and this one is right through so a long drive gets him down inside the five but ultimately they settle for just the field goal and I have to think that if maybe they were a yard closer that would have made their decision tough and I think they likely would have gone for it but in this situation they just decided to take the three and I think it was a smart [Music] move here are the Lions now as they line up and kick this one away and out a little across the 25 to the 27 and now it looks like he's in some discomfort after being tackled at the end of that return the medical staff will attend to him and we will step aside Stafford and the Rams come up first and 10 at their own 27 they'll come out throwing here to start the drive that's to the tight end Colby Parkinson and his player does a nice job of giving him an easy throw to start this drive and he takes of it the sets up a manable second [Applause] down second down and a yard the slot Man in Motion right now a play fake and it's Stafford and it's incomplete took a shot couldn't connect Zone coverage there and they were playing deep that makes it obviously a little bit harder to run by guys and that time it was not much of a window to get the ball in there and it winds up incomplete they tried the throw on second down unsuccessful now it's third and one they'll try and run for it here's Williams and he's going to have a Rams first down as he's able to get this up past the 40 Brandon what were they thinking on defense there that looked like they were playing for the pass that was third and short yeah it was an easy pick up because they handed it to him that was way too easy just looked like absolute confusion defensively not sure why they were in that set yeah I say you ought to have a few men in the box there now stord and that one drops down incomplete good coverage there forced the ball free and it's second down it's another zone defense it looks like it's open for possibilities but they did a nice job patrolling the middle of the field and forcing an incompletion second and [Applause] 10 back to throw Stafford that's into the hands puts it on the carpet it's out and it's going to be another first down as they'll get him to the ground at the Lions 42 and the defense not able to get it from a defensive perspective what's that moment like when you realize the ball is loose it is a moment where all concentration goes right to the football this is something you've talked about in all your preparation for the game you probably talk about his training camp knock the ball free take it away from the other team and now you have that chance is a little bit of deflation when they end up recovering it they knocked it free but couldn't take it away another big Gainer that time this one goes for 19 yards a big hole there how about him handling the point of attack just positioning himself so that run could go right off of his backside and deep into the secondary [Applause] throwing is Stafford it's caught and he's going to take this one in for a Rams touchdown Matthew Stafford finding Cooper cup for the touchdown there and the Rams are able to answer the early three points and take a first quarter lead well Charles here in their opening Series they said they had certain plays scripted for certain players that looked like a well-designed play to get one of their top targets involved yeah let's face it Brandon a player of his talent is a problem for any opponent to defend and we saw it right there they tried to deny an open Lane to him he still outplayed the coverage and scored the early touchdown good luck trying to figure out how to defend him as this game moves on extra point splits the uprights and that makes it a seven3 lead so that winds up a seven playay drive all told and it ends with Cooper Cup on the receiving end of the touchdown [Applause] [Applause] pass the Rams kickoff team on the field and here we go with the ball in the air and he takes this near the 25 just a little pass there call it the 26 back onto the field come the Lions for their second overall Drive their Drive last time it stalled out they were forced to take the short field goal and the key phrase you nailed it forced to because you know coaches look at these short field goals as a last resort right to them that's not how drives are supposed to end you're supposed to put six on the board that's a consolation prize that going to the county fair you don't get the big stuffed animal on that one do you no you don't go top shelf that's bottom shelf material to Montgomery to begin the drive and this one goes nowhere losing yardage back at the 22 that's going to go as a loss of four and it'll be second down I know that speed is the Hallmark of today's NFL game but the key to good rushing defense is still having your linebackers set the edge well the first play of the drive lost four now they'll look to move move it forward here on second and 14 out of the gun they'll give to Gibbs and not much doing there maybe a yard up to the 23 Brandon we talk all the time about those hybrid players guys who could do more than one thing and I think if you're playing strong safety in the NFL today you are a true Hybrid part linebacker part cover guy and coming up sticking his nose in the mess there and making a nice play defensively now on Third and long they look to throw open man is Raymond he's got it so that'll be no better than an incompletion and that'll bring up fourth down excuse my snarkiness here but isn't the idea of completing a pass supposed to mean you get downfield and gain yards especially on third down yeah that one how about the defense figured that one out in a big way yeah they completed it all right and lost yardage and here now the punter Fox as he sends this one away and the punt goes out of bounds where will they put it they'll put it just inside the 45 yd line so the Rams coming back onto the field their second Drive of the game this drive here beginning probably with a pair of motivated groups remember the offense scored a touchdown on their last time out looking to repeat that in Charles's defense they were very frustrated after giving up six the last time on the field and frankly it's just a battle of wills in a lot of ways because you know they're both motivated they both game planed for this drive and they both have specific in mind to me it just comes down to who can exe better and which side can step up and assert it will over the other and they'll get him down as he's inside the 40 an excellent way to start the drive there 18 yard slam route's effective no matter who's running the route and catching the ball but when you have a receiver of that stature you have to be a little bit more precise throwing it you don't have the same catch radius with the bigger targets clock rolling as we hit the Midway point of this first quarter and they'll send Cup in motion right now a first down carry it's Williams and he's going to take this ahead for right around three yard but no more than that second down just not a whole lot of room to operate there on that carry no not at all they did a really nice job staying in their proper and not allowing any lanes to open up second and [Applause] seven Stafford and the Lions pressure too strong down he goes flying in for that sack Aiden Hutchinson no surprise to any of us who watch this young guy a forceful move there by the Michigan man Aiden Hutchinson one of the most Talent young Defenders that we have in our [Applause] game so now Stafford and the Rams after the sack they're staring up at a third and long out of the gun now on third under pressure and they got to him again Aiden Hutchinson two plays in a row now that he has gotten in there for the sack and it brings up fourth down well how about that a dime set on defense six defensive backs none of them Blitz they're just back there in coverage defensive lineman gets the sack that's where the o line they go to the sideline they keep the their helmets on so the cameras can't find them right yeah the cameras can't find them but I know one thing the old line coach will this is a way but boy headed straight for the sidelines and this punt goes out of bounds and it'll be marked inside the 40 and Detroit getting set to go now these guys definitely hoping for a better showing than their last appearance they couldn't really even move the football much beyond the Shadows of their own goal post Charles we'll see if they can get a better more sustained drive going here yeah and every team that we ever talk to says the exact same thing when you start a drive from that deep in your own territory the goal is a minimum of at least two first downs because even if you have to punt then you change the field position right you flip the field a little bit they didn't get that done this time they want string together a nice drive and help themselves out it'll be a gain of 10 to start the drive out by a few inches that'll be a first down we've seen quite a bit of the short passing game here early on first quarter haven't we we have and I think it works a couple of ways for for this team because number one you throw the short game until they stop it and if they're not going to stop you keep throwing it and occasionally you'll break a tackle and turn into a bigger gain also if they start to creep up start to press your receivers now you go over the top take it deep and that Blitz coming and down he goes that one will set him back nearly 10 yard here on first down on the sack the Jared vers meet off the field you're really going to like but he knows how to turn on the nastiness when he crosses the lines He's a Bully rugged and a physical pass rusher and they need to work to at least get some of this yardage back after the sack second and 19 from the gun Gibbs will get it runs through the contact he finds some open field here and a big gain inside the 40 before being dropped 25 yds the pickup there and also a first down I think they like this drive a little bit better there partner running game helping out picking up some of the slack cuz remember the last Drive they went three and out so from Rams territory now it's first and 10 at the 38 they'll bring one of the tight ends in motion left they'll fake the give now G and that'll be caught by Brown he's going to go out of bounds but he takes this one down just shy of the 20 this gain not quite as good as the last but still over 40 yard between the two I think when they look at their offense they think to themselves weapons weapons everywhere and they want to move the ball around they want to spread it to different people but you absolutely know they want to get this man involved as well and that's what they just did on that play he'll go right back to St Brown and he'll go out of bounds in the red zone inside the 20 short completion just four yards and it'll be second down well it appears that they read man defense and went to the out route and what you have to do on that one is a receiver's got to make sure he works a Defender towards the middle of the field to give himself space to cut to the outside and have that ball delivered with good timing and they got it done playaction it's G this is caught and so close he gets it to the one out of bound right there that one good for 17 Ys and now they've got it first and goal boy everything clicking on this drive he's four for four now and that throw maybe the best of the bunch this offense is really huming and they pick up another first down they'll run with right and he is into the end zone tou down Detroit Brock W punching it in from a yard away and the Lions have retaken the lead an excellent long sustained offensive drive and now they can look across the field and see a defense that looks a little bit beaten down right now as an offensive coordinator you're thinking to yourself can I dial up The Knockout Punch now the try here for the extra point and it's through and that makes the lead 107 so that drives seven plays in length and it ends with a one yd touchdown run [Music] here are the Lions now as they line up and kick this one away and he'll be tackled just shy of the 25 the Rams offense now they get set and head back on the field over on the sideline hoping to hit that reset button between possessions last out they had to punt it away this time hoping to finish this thing off of The End Zone Stafford and the Rams come up first and 10 at their own 24 they'll try and start this drive in the air pass complete there TOA he'll be brought down on the 30 yd line after a gain of six well it's time for them to be good teammates right here and what I mean by that is possess the ball for a little while get at least two first downs give their defense a chance to settle down a little bit after they give up a touchdown and the ball on the 30 here's second and four to throw as Stafford going to be taken in here by nura and they get him down but not before he takes it across the 40 yd line 11 yards there as they connect on the quick slant no question about ITA took the NFL storm a year ago what a beginning and it continued throughout the season the former fifth round pick ends up breaking the rookie record for most catches and yard in a single seon he's clearly a major asset to the Rams offense and head coach mcy will continue to use it in Great situations nine yds is the pickup there and they'll have a second and one well they're making an effort to get the ground game going tonight so far it's working I like what we're seeing from the offensive line they seem to have the leverage going inol in things and reestablishing the line of scrimmage moving that defensive front backwards also like what the runners giv us too it appears that he's been waiting all day long to get out here and take off loose inside the 30 and it's going to be another first down as they'll get him to the ground at the Lions 24 yd line a really nice gain of 25 yards second and short that's a run down so it's definitely a good time to go play action you're feeling it and they do so and pick up a first [Applause] down off of playaction here's Stafford right back to Atwell that's complete and they work this near the five he'll be stopped at the six been a oneman wrecking crew these last couple of plays this time 18 more and a first down just picking up yardage in bunches here these last few plays they have moved right down the field and just like that they can be set up with a first and [Applause] goal now it's Stafford he's got it yeah he'll work free from one tackle but that's about all as he's taken down that'll bring out second and goal gain of [Applause] five to the air again Stafford and this is caught he's got it touchdown La Matthew Stafford two touchdown passes in this first quarter and the Rams have taken the lead oh such great concentration there going right up against the side of the end zone but able to get the feet in bounds there are so many things that go into that catch and you just mentioned the concentration being able to catch the football get your feet down in bounds hang on to it all the way through the process of the catch that was a phenomenal play out comes the kicking team here for the extra point and that makes it 1410 so this drive spans seven plays and the result for the Rams a touchdown [Applause] the Rams kickoff team on the field and here we go with a ball in the [Applause] air and he'll go down as this drive will start at the 25 yd line Detroit's offense ready to take over and they'll just simply be looking to build off the confidence of the last time out where they scored a touch down and confidence is powerful isn't it when you've scored once you feel like you can go back out there and get it done again doesn't matter what the defense throws at them they feel like they're in a groove right now and they want to get out there and show it yeah hoping to stay in that Groove here this go around G in this Lions offense set for a first and 10 at their 25 yd line he'll drop to throw firing quickly here and that's complete and up to the 35 before they're able to knock him down give him 10 yards there and about by the nose of the football he's going to have a first down you always worri about those smaller receivers running through that gnarly patch of land in the middle of the field but he did a really nice job there holding on to the football and protected himself as best he could while completing the play and that's going to be incom complete that's some good closing speed there defensively because that looked open for a minute great work with the ball in the air never gave up converged on his man and broke the play up here's second and 10 they'll send the tight end in motion Montgomery on the counter and he'll get this one up to about the 39 here four yds the gain and it'll bring up a third down that second down play call was not to pick up the first down it was to accomplish what they did to get him into a manageable third down because they had incompletion on first down so they were behind the sticks so to speak they need to make up some ground and they did here's G and that one is incomplete and it also concludes quarter number one we are in for a good one as we're through one on EA Sports second quarter action now from Detroit and it's the home standing Lions who have the football as they've got it with a fourth down coming up here's Jack Fox on to punt and a fair catch called for and made just outside the 15 yd line a 41 yd punt there with no return and the Rams will go on offense here with a first and 10 Here Comes Matthew Stafford now to lead his offense back out there last series the ball never hit the ground six to six touchdown pass so whatever he did then do it again right yeah it reminds me a lot of when I watch the best quarterbacks throw seven on seven or even routes versus Air they're accurate the receivers catch it the ball never touches the ground or if you want to take it to basketball a well executed fast break right pass pass pass finish at The Rim basket yeah ball never hits the ground there either and under the Lions pressure he's brought down Aiden Hutchinson in there to get him yet again that is his third sack tonight they can't figure him out so Charles no turnovers yet for this offense but those sacks now starting to pile up and one thing usually leads to another because they've got to figure out how the offensive line and everyone else involved in protection can keep their quarterback ight and allow him a chance to throw the ball down field sacks a growing theme in this first half this is second and [Applause] long out of the gun Stafford they'll get that complete to Parkinson that'll give him that time and that's going to set up a tough third and nine let's not quibble about the gain there on second down that was a positive play because that was a take what you can guess situation got out to the tight end now gives him much better opportunity to convert on third down they'll come up now third and nine here's Stafford oh the ball comes out on the hit but they'll say it's incomplete that could be defense needed to get them back on track they've been pretty well dissected by the offense here in the first half after that possession now they know that they can compete with this offense here's Ethan Evans now oh it's a wobbler here now a fair catch taken maybe a yard or two shy of Midfield a special teams mistake there no doubt just 26 yds officially on the punt and the lions will have excellent field position here as they take over first and 10 and motion left goes a tight end now a play fake and it's G throwing left side here and it's complete and that's good for a pick up of 10 Y and they'll be left with a second and about a foot a give to Montgomery out of the gun and he gets it down to the 3 a gain of five good enough for the first down Montgomery with a nice gain there really nice run and he's come off a strong first season in Detroit they saw him top a thousand yard rushing for just a second time in his career he is perfect for the culture of the Lions of BU out of the gun G that's over the middle and caught by the rookie and the result here pick up of eight leaves him with two to go on second down you decide to run a hitch rout it really helps to have a guy who can turn it loose and boy he rifled one in there on that one not much run after catch but it worked really well two yards to go second down a little short pass here taken in by Lea only able to gain a couple there and they'll be faced with a third and inches well they're unable to convert that into much but it's never a bad idea to try to get the ball into a tight end of his caliber hands and see what kind of disruption he can cause the offense on third down tonight 0 for three to this point they could use a conversion they're looking at third and a few Ines G and he is caught and he takes it down to the 13 and picks up the first n yds that time didn't they tell us in our meetings that they needed to account for him on each and every play you think a guy of his caliber so how does a guy like him get that wide open that usually means there's a tire breakdown on what the coverage was everyone thought they were doing something and they were supposed to be doing something else but bottom line is no matter what you have to know where he is and cover him on every play to the air again G and it's caught touchdown s Lea from 13 yd out and the Lions have yet again retaken the lead as a general rule quarterbacks don't want to lock in on a receiver before the ball is snapped but in this case based on the matchup he thought he was going to get it was favorable for his tight end he locked in on him early and found him for a touchdown now the extra point try forth coming it's good and they'll take a 174 lead a drive that time of six plays and it's capped off by a touchdown for the Lions [Music] [Music] the kickoff team on the field now as they will send this one away and he won't quite make it to the 25 here's the Los Angeles as they get set to take possession Charles a very uninspired effort the last time we saw them out there it was a quick three and out and they putted the football yeah and you never want to get stopped so soundly during a series but what would be even worse now is letting it happen again right here they've got to get going Stafford and the Rams come up first and 10 at their own 24 they'll come out throwing here to start the drive and he's brought down getting this one up to the 35 the drive starting with a first down 11 yards on that pickup and now at this point in the first half you've got to realize as an offense you're not going to get it all back in one Fell Swoop this is going to be about sustain drives and making sure you finish with points and that's a good throw there for a first down back to throw Stafford he'll find a man over the middle two two Atwell he'll be dropped shy of the 40 despite powering through the tackle the result only four yard there on the play and it'll be second [Applause] down Stafford now to throw and he's got his man on the out rout and he'll be taken down but not before he works it past the 50 the Rams they are on the move they've got another first down but that's what you're looking for when you're want to throw the ball down field you want one of those guys who can play out on the perimeter can play out wide who can not only get open but when they're covered can uncover themselves down field and create catches so the ball moves into lion territory now here's first and 10 at the 46 [Applause] Stafford looks to throw again that's into the hands of Parkinson to tight end and he'll go down but not before getting this inside the 30 that one good for 20 on the catch and run he's certainly done a nice job spreading the field on this drive and here he finds his big tight end for good yardage and that's what you have to do keep defenses guessing about where you're going to go with the football [Applause] here's Stafford and he's got his man in stride complete so five yard here five on the play and that's going to bring up second down one things you're hoping for when you run drag routes you're able to hit a receiver in stride and he can pick up a lot of yardage after the catch but in this situation the defense was effective able to stop him before he could get a good head of going they'll run out of the gun here Williams and he'll take it down here just shy of the 15 at the 16 yd line they got five through the air last play now five on the ground first and 10 and this has become a familiar sight a really good R by Williams who took a massive leap in his second season last year finishing third in rushing while aaging a league lead at 95 y per game on the ground a really nice young player shotgun snap for Stafford quick hitter here it's complete and that's good for a gain of six and it's second down nice Rhythm throw there on first down he located his tight end made a nice easy pitch and catch hoping he can break a tackle or two wasn't able to do that there but still good yardage this is a second and four ball at the nine [Applause] now Stafford and this throw incomplete the defender all over him that time and it's going to lead to third down when you run the slant timing is everything and against that man coverage there was no space available and incomp as a result this will be play number nine of the drive here as they need four yard on third down St and it's complete he's got it in the end zone touchdown Rams make that now three first half touchdown passes for Matthew Stafford as his guys have now moved out in front in the second quarter and already his second touchdown reception absolutely the definition of a Difference Maker here in this first half clearly one of his quarterback's favorite Targets in this game and I figure he's going to draw a little more attention and coverage moving forward the call is to go for one and kick the extra point it's up and good to make it 217 so a nice drive put together there they go 75 yards and nine plays and it winds up with a touchdown for Los Angeles out is the kickoff unit as they run up and S this one [Applause] away and they will Wrangle him down a couple yards shy of the 30 here's the Detroit offense now as they head back out onto the field a lot of time for this unit to game plan on the sideline after that drive that they watch The Other Side just score but remember last time they were out they scored as well we'll see if they can seize that momentum right back and they have had a lot of time to cool off from reaching the end zone the last time so have they been able to keep themselves mentally sharp and into this game even though they haven't been on the field and you and I both know one big play though gets them right back up to that level off play action here's G and that'll be caught by St Brown and they'll get it up just short of the 45 at the 44 16 yds right off the bat and a first down if you're going to Blitz likely going to leave you in man coverage with this guy and that is less than ideal it is because just about any offense that has an elite receiver if you Blitz and have him in man coverage you're going to him even if he has an elite defender on him because he usually knows where the ball is before the defender does playaction it's g under a heavy rush and down he goes they'll wind up losing eight on the sack there and it's second down so this has been a lot like a tennis match hasn't it back and forth both of these offens has having their way so far so maybe the question isn't who's going to score the most points in this game maybe it's who's going to get some stops yeah absolutely in that sack finally a first step in the right direction for us stop got to imagine the pass rush will be equally intense here on second down following the sack it's second and 18 going up the gut Montgomery and down he goes at the 45 after a pick up of nine and there we saw one of the downsides of blitzing during a run down because sometimes you out of your gaps you don't fit the Run quite as well because you're headed towards the ball carrier with abandon the Lions on third down they've only converted once in four tries this is third and nine G pass taken in by his big tight end he is out of bounds but not before he's inside the 30 they give him 27 yards the third down conversion we often hear the phrase sure handed tight ends and he certainly fits into that category plus he's got a quarterback who knows to look his way when they need a big pick up and on this play he finds him for the first down so from Rams territory now it's first and 10 as they've got it to the 28 yd line they'll try the Middle with Montgomery down at the 25 not a huge carry there first down but not all of them will be but still all in all a positive play for the offense it's all about picking up at least a few to set up what you're going to do here on second down from the 25 here's second down and seven in motion goes the tight end now G got a man over the middle it's Williams seven yard there and a first down and the throw and the catch were just fine but against Zone coverage when you run a drag route what you're hoping for is he makes the catch and Mak someone Miss and they don't there very difficult route to run when everyone has their eyes back towards the quarterback and they're able to see the route develop a shotgun snap for G and that is caught touchdown Detroit jir Gibbs from 1 yard out as they have taken the lead these two teams in this first half it's been fun back and forth back and forth it's not fun for the defensive coordinators but offensive coordinators are enjoying it yeah they're having streaks here aren't they being able to put scores together and and really Bunch them up and we have a tight game here you know we often talk about having the right shoes for the right Turf today is track shoes that's what we've seen with these offenses yeah it's been an absolute track meet so far and fun to watch point after right down the middle and that gives him a three-point lead so that winds up a seven playay drive all told and jir Gibbs finished it all off with a touchdown grab [Music] [Music] here are the Lions now as they line up and kick this one away and the tackle going to be made right there at the 25 yd line La reies for its next possession touchdowns on backto back drive so a very good flow now offensively hard to slow them down too because they are locked in feel like the offens coordinator is a little bit ahead of the defensive guys right now they're beating them to the punch with their play calls they've got a nice Rhythm they're locked into how can the defensive guys come up with something that'll disrupt that flow that's what they're seeking right now well it's been an exciting sequence to [Applause] watch open man is Atwell complete and he'll be out of bounds just shy to the 40 a big play on The Catch and run covering 34 yards they made that way too easy for them no one is supposed to be that open against an NFL defense once he caught the ball there wasn't anybody close enough to stop him and he was able to continue down field after making the catch so the ball moves into lion territory now here's first and 10 at the 41 now a play fake and it's Stafford that'll be caught it's C and he's taken down but not before reaching the 10 yd line it'll go as an impressive 31 yd gain well he looked his way quite a bit in this first half and with good reason you can see it there he has such a handful defensively just too hard to keep him under WPS and delivers a big play here for this offense so now following the big play they've got a first and goal all the way down at the 10 now Stafford looking in zone but it's incomplete as a corner you have to be able to run step for step down Feld coverage and make up quickly in zone you have to put yourself in position to make plays just like that one we saw there they'll go again here from the 10 yd line on second and goal now it's Stafford to the end zone but it's incomplete that's a pretty play there got in at the last second help Force the ball free and kept them out of the end [Applause] zone two incompletions haven't moved him any Clos and likely throwing again you'd have to think on Third and goal here to throw is Stafford and this is caught he's got it touchdown La fourth touchdown pass of the game for Matthew Stafford as his guys have now moved out in front so the numbers are starting to pile up here early on we have yet to reach halftime yet that is already now four touchdown passes now they'll line up to kick the extra [Applause] point and that will make this a four-point game that time 75 yd Drive five plays and the result for the Rams a touchdown the Rams kickoff team on the field and here we go with a ball in the air [Applause] well now how about this return and the kick team down there quickly they don't have to run as far as they used to and they're able to stop him before he can even make it to the 15 and Detroit getting set to go now and the points they have come fast and furious in this quarter you really don't want to be on the defensive side of the ball right now do you because you're either thinking my replacement may get an opportunity your head better be on a swivel totally or maybe I just need to get out of the game for a while because I just can't slow these guys down they've got to figure out a way to disrupt these offenses and typically one guy makes a big play and that can help change things they'll be looking for disruption on both sides right now and he puts his head down and gets up to the 42 for a gain of about six now Brandon that's the way you want to run the football there should almost be quote bubbles above the offense right now bam boom Biff that's how they feel good about moving the football from the 42 yd line here's second and four now it's G looking left side and he's got a in that's montgom and taking it across Midfield and inside the 45 15 yd for the Lions there and a first down I like the play design there they occupied the defense down field everyone trying to for someone but unfortunately they didn't account for the running back slipping out of the back field and he was absolutely unnoticed and wound up getting big yards on that play they'll fake the handoff now G open man is Raymond he's got it he'll get this one down near the 20 yd line just shy of the 20 chewing up big yardage another nice gain there this one goes for 20 the goal for any offense versus his own defense find the holes where guys are available and put the ball on the receiver before any Defender can step up and fill it they did it well there perfectly executed Crossing route a quick throw there is incomplete momentary speed bump there with that throw partner the defense had other ideas and they're trying to mount a small stand before this drive reaches the end zone now a second and 10 Again gof Rush coming and he's taken down it'll go in the books as a seveny Los on the sack and it's third down he continues Charles to be under constant pressure and these sacks they're starting to pile up and if they want to have a realistic Chance in This one they've got to change their blocking assignments they've got to do a better job to keep him upright if he's going to be on the deck constantly they've got no chance to win this game so now following the sack often the Lions needing to come up with something here on Third and long now on Third and long they'll look [Music] throw it's incomplete took a shot couldn't connect well that play was certainly a little bit different because on the previous play he was sacked this time protection a lot better had time to survey the field and still couldn't find an open receiver now the Lions they sent out the field goal unit here made his first this now from 46 yds away and this is right down the middle as he puts it through and that'll bring him back within a point so we're back to a one-point game now as the kickoff comes and he's up across the 25 and down at the 28 the Rams offense and Matthew Stafford set to take over once again and he's had things all his way in this first half the numbers Sensational as he'll look to add to them with another drive here the Los Angeles offense set to begin their next drive and we are hitting the home stretch here toward halime and to this point this has been an exciting offensive explosion for both sides I think everyone in the stadium is going to have to regroup a little bit including the two of us yeah I think we have to get a little oxygen relax a little bit and see what we can get going for the second half the same as these teams because right now everything's working really well can someone come up with something to slow him down yeah both defenses back on their heels and with that last play he's now up over that 300 yd Mark and in today's NFL it almost feels routine and I hate that when you're talking about a 300 yard passing game to me 300 yards still signifies excellence and he's achieved that in this performance [Applause] staford throwing middle but it's incomplete I see the surprise in your face there partner that is a rare incompletion from him he's been on point this entire game he has percentage completion Wise Way up not that time so now second and 10 after the incompletion on first [Applause] down here's Stafford over the middle that's haed by cup nine yards not quite enough and they'll be left now with third and one they like going to him in the slot he catches another one I think this comes Under The Heading of until they him why not go back to he something going really well great working relationship with the guy throwing the ball and they keep making the connection back to throw Stafford screen play set up for Williams and going to lose yardage here they'll wind up losing a couple yards here on the play and it'll be fourth down and not what you're looking to do on Third and one completing the pass but going backward I have zero explanation for that because third and one you just figure snap throw first down right easy play but end up losing yardage on it that's hard to account for and that one will be no good he never had it online it's well wide to the left and this is going to remain a one-point game and now two problems as I see it first you missed the kick which granted was a long one but second you set the other guys up a great field position and enough time to maybe get down field and get a field goal attempt of their own the Detroit offense ready to begin their drive and with decent starting field position there may be only a couple completions away from field goal range that'll be incomplete with 9 seconds now showing on the clock and khif Raymond was the intended target that'll bring up second down back to throw [Applause] G got his man complete over the middle it's Williams and this offense going to let to burn a timeout with 5 seconds remaining in quarter number two now with five seconds left not really enough time to run another play and then stop it so on comes the field goal unit and this will be called officially a 66 ydd attempt and this won't get there won't be on line either it's no good off to the right and that'll keep this a one-point Game Boy that could have been a real momentum boost going into the break you get into field goal position with a chance to seize the lead but this one doesn't find the Target and they're unable to capitalize and unless this is a quick incompletion this is likely the last play here of this first half a final shot before the break Stafford he's going to take a shot at the end zone why not and oh it'll be intercepted and he will be brought down on what will be the final play of this first half so we've reached halftime in a wild first half we'll take a minute to catch our breath as we'll head down to Orlando that's where we find our man Jonathan Coachman at our EA Sports halime report coach all right coach thanks yeah both teams likely to make some changes in what's been a closely fought battle to this point it's been a shootout so far we'll see which defense can make the adjustments as we get back underway in the second half and he'll take it up past the 25 to the 26 yd line the Rams offense and their quarterback ready to go once more and as we show you some of the highlights from earlier he has been instrumental in getting his guys the lead as he looks to finish strong and close this one out the Los Angeles offense set to begin their next Drive as this offense takes the field to begin the opening drive of the second half Charles remember in that first half good through the air and really all around an outstanding offensive performance absolutely they've reached the end zone several times the passing game working awfully well and most importantly partner and they went to the tunnel with a lead they come back out with that lead absolutely NFL coaches we know their Perfections in a lot of ways but they had to like what they saw in that first half that was a really nice play be able to stack that one up when they get back in he's got to he's got to tell his guys up front great job they kept people off of him allowed him to run free and make the hit on the runner filled the Gap nicely kept him to just a one yd gain and they get him down but not before he takes it across the 40 yd line his fifth catch tonight and it's good for a first down I tell you what a lot of those mid-range throws have been available because sometimes teams get too concerned about the Deep ball and they leave too much space in front of them and these guys have been taken advantage so [Applause] far up the middle it's Williams and he takes it past the 45 and down at the 46 five yds on the carry good pick up on first down that's a really nice tough run inside and they gained five yards on be frank about it most offenses don't expect to get five yard on a play call like that so when they do they go back to their hdle with a little pep in their steps they're starting to think that they're starting to dominate the line of scrimmage play action Stafford and the Lions pressure too strong down he goes Aiden Hutchinson make that now four sacks for him in tonight's ball game a CD a little bit of feast or famine he's had some success throwing the football but also now he's been sacked four times yeah you just mentioned the four sacks but you're right he has managed to hang in there and make plays at times his offensive line they've got to figure it out and pick things up and give him more opportunities and he has to help them by getting rid the ball a little bit quicker as well out of the gun Stafford he's going to look deep down the field and this is caught touchdown Rams Matthew staford does it again five touchdown passes and the Rams had six to their lead as a former DB you might not like to see that but from a wide receiver's perspective those are the plays they dream on correct on both counts all right because once he took off I mean let's face it that should have been done in Big Sky country aren't any speed limits out there and off he went glad I wasn't the one trying to chase him now the try here for the point after and with that the lead is up to eight the drive summary that time five plays and it winds up with a touchdown for Los Angeles set now to kick this one away and off it [Applause] goes and they'll get him down inside the 30 at the 27 so we going to look at the Lions offense as they get ready for their first possession of the second half Goff in this Lions offense set for a first and 10 at their own 27 slotman moves right he'll Begin by dropping it off to Montgomery and he is met in his tracks behind the line of scrimmage that's Byron Young ranged in that time and stopped him for a loss let's face it that's just a help a feeling for a running back there he's looking up to find a hole and all he finds is a whole lot of ticked off linebacker so the opening play of the drive goes backwards now they'll come up on second and 12 they'll keep pounding here with Montgomery nowhere to go that time might have gotten a yard up to the 25 you know that old expression it's not my night it hasn't been his so far I don't know if the legs are a little bit heavy sometimes having to hang out all day and play doesn't exactly play to your advantage but it's been a tough go for him every time he looks up somebody's there defensively that was the same case on that play that is caught and out of bounds on the other side of Midfield at the 45 give him 30 yards there well this game has certainly had no shortage of offense have been reved up from the start and here's yet another big play boy both defens have just got to be dragging out there because they've been run rag it throughout so from Rams territory now it's first and 10 at the 45 yd line now Montgomery running right and nothing much materializing there on the first down run he'll get a couple and that's it we talk about Defenders specific Al linebackers keeping their eyes in the right spot he had that eye down the entire time and you know that's not easily done because they throw a lot of misdirection at you they try and fool you and get your eyes in the wrong place but you're right about that one he correctly figured that one out and made a really nice play four yards on the pickup there as it'll leave him with a third and about four more for a first some of the most unselfish players on any football team defense tackles because we ask them to just eat up blocks and allow other people to make tackles but when he can make a play himself as we just saw there that's a big day and they'll send the tight end in motion left to throw is G he's got his Target that's complete and he is going to have a Lions first down by about three yard or so as they wind up getting seven there on third and four I know I'm an old Defender but I've got to give credit where credit's due that was smart play calling right there on third and four they didn't need to do too much just let their guy get out there and sit down in the zone and they hit him for the completion for the first down off play action here's G try to get it to Williams but it's intercepted travius white with a pick and the Rams are going to have it here at their own 15 and Brandon this is a real nice job defensively getting inside a quarterback head figuring out okay where is he going with the football because you can make an educated guest defensively not all the time but sometimes and when you're right you've got a decent chance of coming away with the football and now out on the field Here Comes Los Angeles they have played so strongly you look at the scoreboard you probably with the way they played you would think the margin would be a lot bigger right you would and in your experience how many times have we run into coaches where they've talked about hey we just want to put in the hands of our defense and win the game in this case yeah not the case not at all you want to put in the hands of your offense but you always feel better about seeing defense because you think defense is a constant and offense kind of comes and goes today this game no they need their offense to stay on a really hot level they've been hot so far and a nice run to get this up over the 20 yd line he'll pick up seven there on the first down keeper but no matter how they phrase it staying on schedule staying ahead of the sticks whatever you want to call it seven yards on first down that fits the bill second down and [Applause] three off of playaction here's Stafford oh this is taken in it's complete and all the way down to the 37 a big play there for La 42 yards well my dad would say something sometimes I'm just scratching my head here trying to figure out what was going on there defensively how did you lose him in the middle of the field if you're going to lose a receiver make sure it's someone on the short side of things not deep down field that can hurt your defense so the ball moves into lion territory now here's first and 10 at the 37 yd line he'll be brought down on the 30 yd line after a gain of six you know what really fires up offensive line when the guy that is carrying a ball behind them can create his own space and break a tackle along the way ball on the 30 now here's a second down and [Applause] four Stafford now to throw he's got it to Williams and they'll be inside the 25 now at the 24 six yds the pickup and that's a first down a nice gain and a broken tackle along the way and really we shouldn't be surprised should we that's what Runners do especially the best ones they break tackles and gain extra yardage here's Stafford that's quickly to Atwell on the slam and down inside the 15 shy of the 10 the Rams they are on the move they've got another first down what a drive this has been just Che up the yardage and here's one of their best plays yet as they finally get down into the Red Zone and look to finish this off with six now a first and 10 at the [Applause] 11 Stafford and a quick throw here that's complete and he's going to get a solid gain of nine before being brought down second and right at a yard second and one from the two from the gun it's a run for Williams and he's stopped after a gain of one not enough still a yard to go on third down this has been an up and down back and forth type of a game hasn't it maybe this long drive take a little bit of the wind out of their Sals kind of settle things down a little bit this will be play number eight here on the drive it's third and a yard they run it again with Williams and that one going nowhere from the start as he's met in the back field and goes backwards a three yd loss fourth down now that's a really alert defense there because they saw the heavy look come in from the offense countered it with extra linebackers who brought a little bit of speed and heft and able to really make a big time play for their defense so on fourth down Shawn McVey going to send out the field goal unit from the left Hash A Chip Shot here and his kick is good and that will extend their lead even further so Charles they get to them with their first turnover of the game and then make it hurt a little bit extra with a field goal and anytime you give the ball up what's the first thing a coach tells his defense don't let them score off of this you've got to put out the fire in fact in 20 21 that's what one NFL coach termed his defense the firemen go out there guys and don't let him put some points on the board the Rams kickoff team on the field and here we go with a ball in the air and a decent return out to the 27 yd line time for another look at this Lions offense not an ideal way to end their previous drive they threw the interception Charles after they had built up some momentum they were moving the football but something to at least build on for this offense as they run back out here yeah you're right about that up until that last play everything was working pretty well for this offense gaining chunks of yardage getting first downs really making a push for the end zone and looked like they had a nice rhythm going now you got to have a short memory here don't focus on the interception focus on what came before it and get back to it just a yard on the first down carry so it's second and nine I if they want to start getting back into this game it behooves them to get better on first down yeah certainly not what they were looking for there out of the opening play of this drive ball on the 28 yd line here's second and nine up the middle it's Montgomery and he'll be brought down right around the 37 66 yd rushing for him now on 17 and that's a nice pick up of a first down on that second down run and at that yardage gained they can run that play on any down line of scrimmage the 37 on First and 10 they'll motion the tight end across the formation G and that'll be caught by S brown evades the tackler and now some space and they're able to work this to the 25 before it's all said and done a big pick up of 38 and you need a big play go to your big play guy listen that's football 101 when you have to have it you expect that guy to step up a lot of people call these receivers Divas sometimes just leadership when they get in the Huddle and say get me the ball I'm about to make a big play and he went backwards he'll be down at the 30 yikes a four yd loss really sets him back now for second down when a draw works it can be a thing of beauty but when it doesn't oh it can be ugly and in this case loss of yardage ugly they'll have to deal with a second and 14 now after the loss now Montgomery able to fight through one tackle and only able to muster a couple down to about the 27 well done to sniff that out defensively he had it diagnosed pretty quickly I love that description because diagnosed is perfect on that one read his keys made the play and he couldn't even get going moving the football this offense in desperate need of a conversion as they come up on third down here's G and that is incomplete I know coaches tell us all the time that having a powerful arm isn't the number one thing they look for in a quarterback but when you're trying to throw inside routes and you need to put some heat on it it helps have the big gun in this case just a little bit too much and his kick is indeed good but now there is aeny marker on the field so let's see what this is about and this is going to be roughing the kicker an inexcusable penalty Charles you've worked so hard to hold him to a three-point kick now you give him the ball again with a chance for a touchdown so as special team's mistake on the field goal try leads to a new set of downs inside the Red Zone he'll find Williams on the slant they'll give him four yards there and that'll make it second down nothing fancy on first down but a very consistent type of a play hit that slant a lot of people call it an extension of the running game and it can be if that pass is completed cuz you hit a guy on the run like that you often can go for big yardage sets him up nicely for second down staying ahead of schedule throw left side caught by lter and he'll get the touchdown Detroit Sam Lea a beast in the Red Zone with his second touchdown of the game and the Lions have cut it back within a score well we know someone just added to his touchdown passing total but all he did was get the ball out quickly to his tight end and let him take care of business the rest of the way Dan Campbell makes the call his guys will go for two here try to run it in with Montgomery and he pushes forward but comes up short of the go line as he'll get a yard down to about the one defensively certainly not fooled there play started at the two and he was tackled at the two that has to feel good for not happy about having given up the touchdown but stopping the two-point conversion gives him a little bit of a lift as they head to the bench [Applause] the kickoff unit is out on the field and they will send this one away and able to take it past the 25 and up to the 28 yd line the visitors offense and their back headed out for this next possession and he had it going in the first half that's for sure he's really had his way with this secondary they've been powerless to stop him and he'll look to keep it rolling right here set to begin their next Drive the Rams offense at the line and last time they got three points but it was a chip shot field goal and when you go to the sideline after Chip Shot fi go offense not too happy it's a balancing act isn't it because you're exactly right they're none too pleased that they didn't punch it in for six points but they also have to remember they did put points on the board three points is three points and in this league you take points when you can get them not easily done here's a second and N from the [Applause] 29 they'll fake the give Stafford pass complete there to Maka and they get him down but not before he takes it across the 40 yd line they have certainly looked his way in this third quarter another catch and it's good for a first down this offensive game plan has just been Sensational I mean when you think about all the different ways they've gotten their receivers open so far it's really been impressive scheme design execution going to be taken in here by nula so the completion gets him just a yard and it'll be second down the goal of a wide receiver screen is get enough blockers in front to create a wall and let him pick his spot to run the football how about the defense there swarming to it and not allowing that to happen did not let him get down field second and [Applause] N throwing is Stafford that'll be caught it's C and it's going to be another first down as they'll get him to the ground at the Lions 29 yd line a very solid gain of 27 with that last completion CD he's now over 400 yds passing in the game and quite a few of those have come via some pretty big strikes down field certainly not afraid to challenge this secondary and it's been successful I like your observation there partner because I agree this is a group more than capable of toring a second any week is evidenced by their combined stat line here and in the time we have remaining wouldn't shock me at all to see them take another deep shot and he's got his favorite Target yet again it's complete and they'll get him down inside the red zone at the 14 it's also a gain of 14 first down that's the third time on this drive that these two have connected with each other they've got a real Rapport going and right now it's paying off with big chunks of yardage as shown by that play under a minute to go in this third quarter as they come up first and 10 again it's Stafford throwing middle and it's complete and the Rams are going to be looking at first and goal as they move this down to the four yd line I can't help but chuckle a little bit because at this point it can't be a surprise to anyone into building who's going to get the ball they just keep feeding him over and over and he just keeps on delivering [Applause] now it's Stafford off the boot leg got his tight end that's complete it's long and he'll go backwards losing yardage to the five it'll go as a loss on the play not what you need down here it's going to be second and goal now a give up the middle Williams and he'll be taken down after a decent gain and that will bring us to the end of this third quarter of play one quarter remains here on a Sunday night we'll return with more after this you're watching the NFL on EA Sports back now at Ford Field it's the Rams out in front here they've got control of the football as well as we get set for the fourth quarter a lot of tired bodies on that field but this is a big play Third and [Applause] goal they'll fake it now Stafford and they're going to get to him a sack sack back at the 9 yd line Derek bars coming in to drop it for a loss of eight and it also brings up fourth a little hard for me to compute because I'm watching sack after sack happen but somehow they're still behind in the game I would expect all this defensive pressure to translate to them taking a lead and th far it hasn't happened time winding down they don't want to waste this type of performance from these Ace pass [Applause] rushers so the field goal unit is on the field as this is a big spot right here this to put him a touchdown and a two-point conversion and his kick is right there it's good well I don't know if they would have gone for it on Fourth and goal anyway but the sack on third down pretty much made their mind up for him you're exactly right about that and this is a tough place on the field to take a sack because as you just noted it took the decision making away from them now they have to go for a field goal instead of potentially going for it the Rams kickoff team on the field and here we go with the ball in the air and up to about the 26 yd line just across the 25 here's the lion offense now as they get ready to take over and remember despite giving up the field goal this is still a onore game they're in need of the down and a two-point conversion a field goal on this drive likely doesn't do them much good gof in this Lions offense set for a first and 10 at their own 26 and they'll send the tight end in motion here now G able to hook up with Williams here on the out route and he gets up to the 34 out of bounds there this possession means so much for them they've got to focus on this drive and find a way to make this a one possession game got to get a score yeah so good with a field goal don't necessarily need a touchdown maybe a good spot to take a shot here second and a yard from the 34 gof now looks to [Music] throw and he is caught by Lea and they've got it well across Midfield down to the 4 before it's all said and done that one good for 26 and a first down and that's a much needed first down right there look they're down by eight so logic says they don't have to get a touchdown out of this drive but the way things are going I don't know if I'd put in the hands of my defense here you might not get the ball back at all so if a fourth down situation comes up I'm thinking hard about going for it right here and right now so from Rams territory now it's first and 10 right at the 40 gof now to throw oh he tries to force it in and it's intercepted and the Rams are going to take over a couple of yard shy of Midfield and that's a great example of ball skills right there partner you and I do a lot of games and I can't tell you how many guys look to run with the football before they've intercepted it so that's a nice job of focusing on the task at hand and coming away with the interception and we got a look at Cooper cup as the Rams offense gets ready to take over possession and I know that they've double teamed him a couple times but not a ton whatever they're doing isn't working he's up over a 100 yards we'll see how they adjust and when they do that they weaken their defense in other places as well and how many times have we done games where we've seen a guy have a big game like this but it's usually not by himself is it usually it opens it up for other people to have big games as well good starting field position for them here as they come up first and 10 just shy of Midfield at the 48 after the interception here's Stafford they'll get this one to cup complete he'll get this one down near the 20 yd line just shy of the 20 the catch and run pays off for 29 yards and that's going to do it with that last throw he surpasses Norm van Brock's Mark of 554 passing yards in one game set more than 70 years ago way back in 1951 he's had help from his offensive line and his receivers but this has been an incredible individual performance now Stafford this will be caught inside the 10 and they've got it inside the 10 at the eight sets him up nicely first and goal it was a pickup of 14 these guys they're not hiding what their intention is they're absolutely showing it they're definitely not going to sit on this lead here in the fourth quarter so first and goal six points here would go a long way toward wrapping this one up from the gun here's Stafford oh there's that man again it's complete he'll get only two there and it's second and goal [Applause] throwing again as Stafford this is caught touchdown two2 Atwell from six yards away and the Rams have opened up a two touchdown lead here in this fourth quarter so add another one into the touchdown column what a game that is now six touchdown passes for him so far in this one no going for two they'll kick the point after and the lead is up to 15 now a drive there of just four plays and the result for the Rams a touchdown the kick off team on the field now as they will send this one away and out a little across the 25 to the 27 the Lions offense and Jared gof set to take over once more and it's been a rough night at the office for him he's been more of a liability than an asset throughout the contest and this offense is having a hard time overcoming his struggles to this point the Lions offense ready to kick off their next drive and the interception last time on the opponent's side of the field certainly not what they wanted but wildly that is so frustrating because that signifies there's a drive going on you're in good spot great place to run some of your best offense instead they turn the ball over yeah turned the ball over last time see if they can avoid doing it here they'll come up second and seven gof now looking to throw that's to the tight end the Porter and he'll be taken down but not before they across Midfield 23 yds the pickup there good yardage on the completion there and when they look at the scoreboard they do understand a field goal is not going to do them any good my guess they're going to press the ball down field as far as possible try and throw it into the end zone and get a score because they know they've got to get that done and get the ball back as quickly as [Music] possible oh he was hit as he threw it there and that one winds up incomplete quite a few times in this game offensive line unable to keep leverage unable to keep people away facing a lot of pressure fortunate fortunate just to get rid of it one of the reasons they're down is that inability though to stop the pressure we saw another example of it there Williams a man in motion right to throw is G it's complete to Williams they get seven out of that so they're left with a third and three you got the big lead defensively willing to give him that underneath stuff right and this is why you work on your tackling tackle him after the catch inbounds keep the clock running just go ahead and bleed the game out that way the offense on third down tonight not quite 50% four for nine this time it's third and three again G work in the middle of the field and he's got a man complete and he is going to have all Lions first down as they convert on Third and three with a nice gain of seven yards yards and in a two-score game obviously every play every third down like we saw there magnified big pickup it was a huge pickup what they really want though is not even get to third down they've got to maximize time and conserve as much as possible and he'll be hit as he releases it and that'll fall incomplete so it looks like they stop some fight in them on this series because it seemed like things were headed for the Red Zone but this defense gets stops they can keep them out of that area second and 10 from the 33 yd line they'll fake the give now G and in for the Lions touchdown Alan R st Brown 33 Y and the lions are able to cut into that deficit so this now a nine-point difference you figure the book here says kick the exra Point make it a onore game now you and I have seen coaches get overly aggressive in this spot but I agree with you kick it here and get back within a score and now in a nine-point game they'll still just need to go for one here and it's good so that will get him back within one score four so that drives seven plays in length and the end result a Detroit touchdown [Music] [Music] [Applause] out is the kickoff unit as they run up and send this one away a lane opens here he's past the 30 solid return pretty good field position they'll start at the 32 the visitors offense and their quarterback set to take the field once more and this defense might be about ready to wave the White Flag nothing they have tried to throw at him has been that successful he just processes things so quickly and makes a right read seemingly every time set to begin their next Drive the Rams offense at the line their lead back down to one score after the touchdown a moment ago first downs a must on this drive as they start out here first and 10 that's into the hands of Parkinson the tight end and he gets this one to Midfield before he's brought down this drive starting off on the right foot 18 yards well may seem a little unorthodox to some people got the lead fourth quarter yet he's still firing away I think he believes that's the best way to go ahead and win the game yeah a lot of coaches say let's just run the football be conservative he's sticking to his game plan no that is his game and that's what they're going to ride he'll get that complete to Pinson I don't care what sport you're playing Everyone likes to build up a little momentum don't and look at this backto back completions to the big Target at tight end that one not as profitable as the other but still a decent game from the 44 now here's second and four off of playaction here's Stafford it's caught at the 10 touchdown la Cooper C with his second touchdown of the night and the Rams have taken a two touchdown lead now so that is going to tie an NFL record that has stood for more than 70 years seven touchdown passes in one game it was first done by Sid Luckman of the Bears in 1943 then by Adrien Burke of the Eagles in 54 and now that Mark equaled here in this one now the extra point and the lead is up to 15 now the drive there only spanning three plays and it ends with Cooper Cup on the receiving end of the touchdown pass the Rams kickoff team on the field and here we go with a ball in the air and he takes this near the 25 just a little pass there call it the 26 the Lions offense in running back getting set for this next possession and it's hard to believe you could run the ball a whole lot better than he has the vision the cut back ability the acceleration it's all been on display throughout the Detroit offense ready to begin their drive for this offense Charles remember the last time they were out here marched it nearly the full length of the football field and a lot of the attack went through the air so now they're seeing if they can duplicate that performance okay if I show my age a little bit partner because I can hear my high school coach John Ford I can hear his voice in my head latty when you put the ball in the air three things can happen and two of them are bad but the way the game's being played now this is just part of what they do so I don't think they should change anything at all they've been dominant keep throwing it around this pass down the field for Gibbs and that going to be incomplete good effort there trying to take a shot but it's third down give big credit for his coverage right there because when he saw the route break deep he stayed in position to prevent a completion while avoiding any risk of a flag so the failure to connect on second down that leaves him staring up here at a third and eight G and that will be incomplete I think it's safe to say he's made some questionable decisions out there so far for some throws into tight coverage he's already been picked off in this game fourth down now but he was fortunate on that one not to have another turnover on his Ledger here comes the Lions punter now as he's on to kick it away and yikes terrible kick headed straight for the sidelines and not a great one there out of bounds in the air and the offense is going to be set up already an enemy territory inside the 45 La set to take over again on offense and as we look back at how we got here you'll notice a common theme in these highlights a lot of yardage through the air the passing game has been sharp right from the outset now a play fake and it's Stafford that'll be caught by C and they'll up getting this one all the way down inside the 20 that's good for 28 yds the passing game continues to be their friend even with a stable lead here in the fourth Charles going back to that well yeah with their overall philosophy you know that they trust their quarterback he's been able to throw it well they continue to throw these safe passes who can blame them so the ball down to the 16 here for first and 10 to throw is Stafford and he'll get the end Z touchdown Rams two2 Atwell a 16 yd touchdown and the Rams have put this one to bed here in the fourth quarter so that is a big one folks can you believe it eight passing touchdowns in a single game until today that had never been done in NFL history so that one his fourth touchdown catch of the game one behind the alltime record of five point after here coming up and the lead opens up now to 22 points pretty clean and simple there just two plays the long pass resulting in the tou down on play number [Music] two the Rams kickoff team on the field and here we go with the ball ball in the air and he'll take it up past the 25 to the 26 yd line the Lions offense set to take over well this game it has had no shortage of offense they've been able to put up a decent amount of points on this side Charles they just have not been able to keep Pace with the other offense they're going against here yeah that's a good way of pointing things out because now it's not a total loss because as you said they've scored some points so there's some play they can build on moments where the game plan actually worked but overall though they were just out Personnel they were going up against a team that's playing at an elite level G throws out left it's caught by Williams and he'll be out of bounds across the 30 yd line it'll be a gain of five and it's second down here's G and that falls to the ground incomplete a nice job of bodying him up defensively and now it brings up third down well no one likes to see that drop but I'll guarantee he not going to stop his quarterback from going back to him any time he has open space the Lions on third down they've converted five times in their many chances thus far this will be third and five able to find the open man that's complete and he'll be out of bounds just shy of the 40 that gain on third down good for 28 I can put my defensive cap on right now and I know they're saying don't give up any big plays now they've controlled this game throughout and all they want to do is see it through to the end I think they let their guard down a little bit with that last completion sometimes when you're trying not to give up bigger plays you don't react as fast as you should on other throws so from Rams territory now it's first and 10 at the 41 throwing again is G little short pass here taken in by leapa and this will leave him a yard short nice pickup of nine yards on first down Brandon Perfect Defense in this situation would have meant that there was an incompletion they would have picked it off okay so they gave up the completion but I really enjoyed watching how the defense stayed in sync stayed in great communication and as he dragged across each Zone you see him pointing communicating there he is and they passed him off to each Defender end up making a nice play even though it was [Applause] complete and that one was relatively easy to see I notice that from up here yeah it doesn't take a whole lot does it sometimes you get multiples what I always love on these off sides is when each side points it the other hey you did it no you did it they deciphered that one correctly from the gun here's G that's going to be caught and out of bounds all the way down at the three backto back receptions for him and it's another first down a three-score game here late you can probably rule out the comeback but certainly some kind of a moral Victory to be had if they can get a few more points to close things out and to that and a nice pass play there to push things down field yeah and we know in this league a loss is a loss and no one wants anything to count as a more Victory or boy something that feels a little bit cheap but if they trim that lead down to just two scores that's still a benefit to this squad his carries tonight they're getting up there so maybe one of those every now and then is understandable I would agree with that understandable every now and then sometimes you come back and you fake it to him and go play action but other times you say okay they got him on that we'll come back to him in another care open man and he's got Williams touchdown Lions a three- yd touchdown pass and the Lions have got it back to a two-score game here in the fourth so a little bit of a let down there defensively I mean look you're still two scores to the good cidd but things may be a little more uncomfortable than they had hoped yeah if you kept him out of the end zone there this game's over you've locked the door on them instead it's still open a little little bit and they've got a puncher chance a golf in that Lions offense staying on the field they'll try for two they'll look to throw fighting through pressure this is caught was he in yes two points so they go with a pass there on the two-point try and able to convert it Charles and a good job by the offense figuring out their two-point play and using it well it's interesting how people using the strategy nowadays though isn't it it really is and I don't know how much that one that particular play factored in but with the p moving back in 15 16 that kind of changed things didn't it it's really a part of everyone's strategy now when I talk with coaches and when we sit with them they always talk about they actually have two-point periods in practice now something they never really did before here are the Lions now as they line up and kick this one away and up to about the 26 yd line just across the 25 so now out comes this offense led by their quarterback as they take over once more and he has been masterful so far in leading this offense he's kept the mistakes to a minimum on point with his passes and he's generally been one step ahead of this defense all game long set to begin their next Drive the Rams offense at the line they're two scores on the plus side still time here in this fourth quarter but maybe you start thinking about playing keep away yeah I think here's the situation you're not thinking touchdowns anymore you're just thinking first downs to keep up with your theme there playing keep away Downs they can't touch the ball got to give credit where it's due really nice defense on that play the pitch and catch was successful but not any run after it ball on the 30 they'll come up with a second and five Stafford pass complete there to Thea and he SS up the 45 before being tackled 16 yds is the pickup there and a first down for La partner I like that there staying aggressive on offense because to me this drive is what is known as a putaway drive you score here that might put this one to bed I like the fact that they're playing with confidence and not playing with fear they'll hand it off now Williams and they'll get this just to the 47 one yd gain Brandon I've got to think this offensive line has got some Smiles on its faces and and I know it sounds crazy but they practiced for this back in training camp they knew they'd be in situations where it be extra defenders in the Box coming after them trying to keep them from locking down a game right now they want to show the world they're up to the challenge back to throw Stafford got a man and he hits him in stride and he is going to lose yardage here it's a loss of a yard so it's back to Third and 10 made the quick there outside the numbers and you can feel the thought process they just want to get in his hands and let him make a play but how about the job they did defensively to keep him bottled up instead they tackle him for a [Applause] loss here's Stafford he gets this into the hands of cup once again and they'll bring him down right at Midfield and he is well short of the first down it'll go as a gain of four and going to make it fourth down Brandon a good idea there on third down run a little clear out and hope you get your receiver the ball coming across the formation nice design but well played defensively and they stop him well short he'll get off a fairly short kick here as this is toward the sideline so here come the Lions now well still a long way to go but trending upward they scored the last time out you remember then their defense forced the punt now they try to inch closer but still ultimately down two scores in the final quarter Goff in this Lions offense set for a first and 10 at their 36 yd line they'll come out throwing here to start the drive and he finds Montgomery complete and able to get this one across the 45 before brought down a gain of 11 to kick off the drive and it's a quick first down fourth quarter every drive so critical and you figure may only get one more shot after this so a touchdown is imperative on this drive it is but you also have to think to yourself in play calling don't hold anything back don't save it for the second touchdown youve got the first one for the second one to even matter toward the sideline and look at that catch dragging the toes and that's going to be a first down well done a new set of downs after a strong C of 16 yards clock management definitely critical here if they want to get back in this game absolutely agreed they have to up the tempo in this case down a couple of scores want to make sure they have a chance to win this ball game so from Rams territory now it's first and 10 at the 38 back to throw G and he is caught by leaport and they'll up getting this one all the way down inside the 20 big yardage another nice gain there this one goes for 20 defensively here you've got the cushion but back to back pretty big pass plays there Bend but don't break but are they bending too much I think that they are to me it'd be like playing basketball and you put up a token press make sure you get up there and make them eat up some time Mak it a little bit of resistance so they can't just run it right down your throat yes sir how about an out of boy there on first down got his hand in and knocked it away so after the incompletion on first now second and 10 now G and he's got his man in stride complete and he takes this one in for a lions touchdown David Montgomery from 17 yard out and the Lions have made it a onore game again here in the fourth well time to let those folks know are tuning in looking for the late local news we may be a moment cuz we've got a game again and partner except for those on the west coast we to be seeing in his regular time right that's the way it works doesn't it but how about that big time drive right there if they're going to have any chance they needed a touchdown there and they went right down the field and work their way into the end zone here we go now as we get set for a big two-point conversion gof looking to throw and no it falls incomplete so the two-point conversion no good I don't know about you but I can't wait for a few years of two-point tries and see what the data tells us because a lot of teams want to throw the ball in this situation this time unsuccessfully I just wonder if maybe running the ball might be the way to go with it moved up from the three to the two you would think maybe a few more attempts at running I I think stats over time May bear out that running the ball will at least be the equal of throwing it in that situation here are the Lions now as they line up and kick this one away Johnson J's free and not much happening on the return as he'll get this to about the 23 this offense headed back out captain of course by their quarterback and you get a look at the numbers they don't even tell the whole story this has been a tremendous performance to this [Applause] point the LA offense ready to go for their next Drive certainly want to avoid what they had to do last possession that was punt the football because this this game's starting to tighten up in a basketball sense you think about taking a little bit of the air out of the ball right maybe milk some clock limit the possessions in this case they might want to do the same thing but control the game offensively put together some first downs put together a drive and keep it away from them fourth quarter down to the final two minutes and we've got a onore game so it's Rams football here as we get you reset from the 29 here's the second and [Applause] four he's going to get it again just looking to get forward and protect the ball and now right out of the two-minute break we'll get a timeout used defensively with a minute 56 to [Applause] go this is a big third down and you'd have to think we'd see a timeout right away if they can't stop him here they'll try and run for it here's Williams and is going to have a Rams first down and that should be the one that finishes this game [Applause] off they'll try and run down some clock with William and I think this defense knew what was coming as he is smothered behind the [Applause] line Second and 12 and you'd have to assum another to stop the run is coming the busy night continues for Williams and just not a big enough hole to break this one he gets it to the 35 after showcasing that tough running of his I like a guy who understands the situation also like a guy who you look at him and you say that looks like a guy who knows the coach is going to say guess what you drop this one you'll be carrying around a training facility for an entire week maybe flashback to high school or college carrying it around campus right the old Gauntlet drill right anyone get the ball out while he's while he's sitting in class and bring it back to the coach he's in big trouble he may be a bited compared to the modern day NFL defensive tackle but what he lacks in size he definitely makes up for his ability to make tackles in the Run game as well here comes the Rams pter now as he's on to punt for the fourth time [Applause] tonight there this is taken at the 23 now on the return oh no the ball is loose and now the Rams have got it going the other way and they take possession of the football and have it at the 36 yd line all right zero rooting interest in it but that one hurt well yeah you're losing in the fourth quarter a bad time for a fumble on a punt return they had an opportunity all right they were sens they're down on the scoreboard and now they just gave that one up Stafford down to a knee and with it he's going to his guys a victory yeah it's fun to kneel down in front of your home crowd but when you go on the road that Band of Brothers attitude right just us against the world and get it done how happy are they I remember a coach in a previous stop telling me you get a win on the road doesn't matter the opponent get out of there like you stole something and they they did in this one well partner under the lights in prime time this offense they gave the nation quite a show putting up that many points to Come Away with what will certainly be a memorable win for them and Brandon I think it's as simple as this some players some teams they're just meant for the big stage and when they get a chance to play in this type of atmosphere where all eyes are on them and all the lights are shining brightly they show up and they show out so that'll do it for us for Charles Davis and all our crew I'm Brandon Garden you've been watching the NFL on EA Sports with that we say good night from Detroit