Detroit Jock City
Fansided

Detroit Lions Beat Rams 31-28 To Return To .500

By Colton Wesley

Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) signals first down after a run against Los Angeles Rams defensive end Eugene Sims (97) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Lions won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) signals first down after a run against Los Angeles Rams defensive end Eugene Sims (97) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Lions won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions strong safety Rafael Bush (31) makes an interception during the fourth quarter to end the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. Detroit won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions strong safety Rafael Bush (31) makes an interception during the fourth quarter to end the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. Detroit won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Inconsistent Lions defense gets stops in critical moments

The Lions’ defense has been inconsistent at best this season but came through in clutch situations on Sunday. At the end of the first half with the game tied at 14, the Rams opted to go for it on fourth and goal inside the Lions’ one-yard line. The Lions responded with a stop, stuffing Todd Gurley in the backfield to keep the scores level at halftime.

The Lions opened the second half by keeping Los Angeles off the scoreboard for the second straight drive. After kicking off to start the third, Detroit forced the Rams to go three-and-out, giving the Lions a short field which they turned into a go-ahead touchdown.

The most important plays the defense made, however, came on its last two series in the fourth quarter. After tying the game with 6:09 left, Detroit’s defense held firm again as the Rams punted after three plays. When Los Angeles looked to launch a game-tying or game-winning drive in the dying moments, Rafael Bush‘s interception quickly snuffed out the drive and iced the win for Detroit.

Fourth downs prove critical for both teams

The Lions have been uncharacteristically aggressive on fourth downs this season. They came into Sunday’s game three-for-three on fourth down conversions in their first five games and converted two more against the Rams.

More from Detroit Jock City

On the first drive of the game, the Lions faced fourth and one near midfield and converted on a two-yard run by Zach Zenner. They would score a touchdown later in the drive. They went for it again on fourth and goal from the two-yard line late in the first half and tied the game on an impressive touchdown catch by Andre Roberts.

Moments later, the defense came up with a huge stop on fourth down as the Rams looked to take the lead on fourth and goal on the final play of the first half, stopping Todd Gurley in the backfield.

There was one fourth down opportunity, however, that the Lions did not take that was worth thinking about. On their game-winning field goal drive late in the fourth quarter, Detroit faced fourth and inches at the Los Angeles 17-yard line with the game tied and the Rams out of timeouts. If the Lions had gone for it and gotten it, they would have been able to run the clock down and kick the field goal on the last play of the game, but failing to convert would give the Rams a chance to win with a field goal of their own. After sending out the offense to try unsuccessfully to draw the Rams offsides, they opted to kick the field goal and not risk failing to score, which ended up working out in their favor, although doubtlessly the decision will still be debated.

Home/Detroit Lions