The Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions match player stats from Ford Field on September 8, 2024, show exactly why this season opener went beyond regulation time.
Detroit secured a hard-fought 26-20 overtime win against Los Angeles in a game where efficiency ultimately trumped volume across the stat sheet.
NFL Week 1 gave fantasy managers and stats enthusiasts plenty to analyze as these NFC contenders traded blows for over 60 minutes.
Team Statistics: Efficiency vs Volume
When David Montgomery scored from one yard out on Detroit’s first overtime possession, it capped a contest where the numbers revealed clear strengths for both sides.
| Statistic | Los Angeles Rams | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Total First Downs | 26 | 21 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 5-12 (41.7%) | 6-13 (46.2%) |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 1-2 (50.0%) | 0-0 (0.0%) |
| Total Offensive Plays | 74 | 61 |
| Total Net Yards | 387 | 363 |
| Yards Per Play | 5.2 | 6.0 |
| Time of Possession | 34:56 | 29:45 |
Detroit head coach Dan Campbell put it succinctly afterward: “Early in the season, a lot of games come down to who makes the fewest mistakes. We made one less than they did.”
The Rams controlled possession and ran more plays, but the Lions gained nearly a full yard more per play (6.0 vs 5.2) – a critical efficiency edge.
Quarterback Comparison: Former Teammates Face Off
This matchup featured the added intrigue of quarterbacks facing their former franchises.
| QB Stats | Matthew Stafford (LAR) | Jared Goff (DET) |
|---|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 34/49 (69.4%) | 18/28 (64.3%) |
| Passing Yards | 317 | 217 |
| Touchdowns | 1 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 1 |
| QB Rating | 85.2 | 85.0 |
| Sacks Taken | 2 | 2 |
| Yards Lost | 13 | 17 |
Despite Stafford attempting 21 more passes than Goff, both finished with nearly identical passer ratings.
Campbell assessed Goff’s performance candidly: “Wasn’t his best ball, but he made some plays.”
Running Game Disparity: Detroit’s Ground Advantage
The most significant statistical gap between the teams came in rushing production:
| Rushing Stats | Los Angeles Rams | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Rush Attempts | 23 | 31 |
| Net Rushing Yards | 83 | 163 |
| Yards Per Carry | 3.6 | 5.3 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 | 2 |
This +80 yard rushing advantage proved decisive in overtime when Detroit needed to march downfield after winning the coin toss.
Detroit Lions Key Offensive Performers
Ground Attack Production
| Player | Attempts | Yards | Avg | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Montgomery | 17 | 91 | 5.4 | 21 | 1 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | 11 | 40 | 3.6 | 8 | 1 |
| Jameson Williams | 1 | 13 | 13.0 | 13 | 0 |
| Kalif Raymond | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 12 | 0 |
| Jared Goff | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 7 | 0 |
Montgomery was the workhorse, averaging 5.4 yards per carry on 17 attempts.
The overtime drive featured Montgomery gaining chunks of 21 and 9 yards before scoring the decisive touchdown.
His consistent production embodied Detroit’s physical running identity that proved essential to the victory.
Receiving Corps Performance
| Player | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Avg | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jameson Williams | 9 | 5 | 121 | 24.2 | 52 | 1 |
| Sam LaPorta | 5 | 4 | 45 | 11.3 | 18 | 0 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | 6 | 4 | 34 | 8.5 | 14 | 0 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | 6 | 3 | 13 | 4.3 | 5 | 0 |
| Brock Wright | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 |
| David Montgomery | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 |
Williams established a career-best 121 yards on five receptions.
His 52-yard touchdown reception provided the explosive element Detroit’s offense needed.
Particularly noteworthy was Williams’ breakthrough occurring while St. Brown, typically Detroit’s primary target, was limited to just 13 yards on three catches.
Detroit Lions Defensive Contributors
| Player | Solo | Ast | Total | Sacks | QB Hits | INT | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Anzalone | 10 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Carl Davis | 6 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Terrion Arnold | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brian Branch | 5 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Jack Campbell | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Kerby Joseph | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Aidan Hutchinson | 3 | 2 | 5 | 1.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Anzalone recorded a game-high 13 tackles, consistently disrupting Los Angeles’ offensive plans.
Hutchinson officially recorded just one sack, but his 4 QB hits demonstrate how frequently he pressured Stafford.
Safety Kerby Joseph delivered perhaps the most impactful defensive play, intercepting Stafford in the Lions’ endzone during the second quarter, preventing a likely Rams score.
Los Angeles Rams Offensive Production
Running Back Performance
| Player | Attempts | Yards | Avg | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyren Williams | 18 | 50 | 2.8 | 9 | 1 |
| Ronnie Rivers | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 12 | 0 |
| Cooper Kupp | 2 | 10 | 5.0 | 9 | 0 |
| Puka Nacua | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 7 | 0 |
Williams struggled to find consistent running lanes, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry despite 18 attempts.
This inefficiency forced Los Angeles to rely more heavily on Stafford’s passing throughout the game.
Receiving Distribution
| Player | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Avg | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Kupp | 21 | 14 | 110 | 7.9 | 21 | 1 |
| Tyler Johnson | 7 | 5 | 79 | 15.8 | 63 | 0 |
| Colby Parkinson | 5 | 4 | 47 | 11.8 | 20 | 0 |
| Demarcus Robinson | 7 | 4 | 42 | 10.5 | 14 | 0 |
| Puka Nacua | 4 | 4 | 35 | 8.8 | 16 | 0 |
| Kyren Williams | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1.3 | 8 | 0 |
| Davis Allen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kupp saw an extraordinary 21 targets, catching 14 passes (matching his career high).
His importance increased dramatically after Puka Nacua exited with a knee injury.
Tyler Johnson produced the Rams’ most explosive play with a 63-yard reception, suggesting his increased value in Nacua’s absence.
Los Angeles Rams Defensive Performers
| Player | Solo | Ast | Total | Sacks | QB Hits | INT | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quentin Lake | 5 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Troy Reeder | 5 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Christian Rozeboom | 4 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| John Johnson III | 2 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Kamren Curl | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jared Verse | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Byron Young | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Safety John Johnson III made the defensive play of the game for the Rams, intercepting Goff early in the fourth quarter.
This turnover gave Los Angeles excellent field position and directly led to their go-ahead touchdown drive.
Rookie edge rusher Jared Verse notched his first career sack, showing flashes of his potential in his NFL debut.
Special Teams Comparison
| Special Teams | Los Angeles Rams | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| FG Made/Att | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| PAT Made/Att | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| Punts/Avg | 3/47.0 | 4/57.5 |
| Punt Returns | 1/0 | 3/6.0 |
| KO Returns | 1/20 | 0/0 |
Lions punter Jack Fox averaged an impressive 57.5 yards per punt, consistently flipping field position.
Jake Bates delivered the clutch 32-yard field goal with just 17 seconds left in regulation, forcing overtime where Detroit would eventually win.
Injury Impact: Rams Offense Diminished
In-game injuries significantly affected Los Angeles’ offensive capabilities:
Rams Key Injuries:
- WR Puka Nacua (knee) – Perfect 4-for-4 on targets before exiting
- LT Joe Noteboom (ankle) – Carted off in second quarter
- LG Steve Avila (knee) – Left with injury later in game
Lions Pre-Game Inactives:
- DT D.J. Reader (leg)
- S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle)
Nacua’s early exit forced increased reliance on Kupp, who saw a massive 21 targets.
The offensive line injuries directly contributed to Los Angeles’ poor rushing performance (3.6 yards per carry) and increased pressure on Stafford.
Game-Defining Individual Performances
Jameson Williams’ Breakthrough Game
Williams delivered on his first-round draft status with 121 receiving yards and a touchdown.
His 52-yard scoring reception demonstrated the explosive element he brings to Detroit’s offense.
This performance becomes even more significant considering St. Brown’s unusually quiet day (just 13 yards).
Cooper Kupp Carries Rams’ Passing Attack
Kupp tied his career high with 14 receptions while being targeted 21 times.
His increased workload became necessary after Nacua’s injury.
His 9-yard touchdown catch with just 4:30 remaining temporarily gave the Rams a 20-17 lead.
Montgomery Delivers in Critical Moments
Montgomery’s consistent production (17 carries, 91 yards, 5.4 avg) kept Detroit’s offense on schedule.
His overtime performance sealed the victory for Detroit.
His 21-yard burst in overtime positioned the Lions for the win before punching in the game-deciding score.
Three Statistical Factors That Decided the Game
The numbers reveal three key areas that ultimately decided this tightly contested matchup:
- Running game disparity – Detroit’s 5.3 yards per carry dwarfed LA’s 3.6
- Explosive play production – Williams’ 52-yard score gave Detroit a crucial big play
- Clutch execution – Bates’ game-tying field goal and Montgomery’s OT heroics
The Lions overcame a 20-17 fourth-quarter deficit, showing resilience that championship-caliber teams possess.
Future Outlook Based on Week 1 Stats
For Detroit:
- Williams’ 121-yard performance suggests they’ve found the deep threat to complement St. Brown
- Their Montgomery-Gibbs tandem looks formidable, combining for 131 rushing yards
- Statistical evidence of late-game execution suggests championship-level composure
For Los Angeles:
- Nacua’s injury status becomes paramount to their offensive balance
- Offensive line health requires immediate attention given the 2.8 yards per carry from Williams
- Cooper Kupp’s heavy workload (21 targets) may not be sustainable long-term
FAQs About Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats
Who led all players in receiving yards during the Rams-Lions game?
How effective was Matthew Stafford against his former team?
What rushing statistics highlight why Detroit won?
Which defensive player recorded the most tackles?
How significant was Cooper Kupp’s workload in this game?
What key overtime statistics led to Detroit’s victory?
When analyzing the complete Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions match player stats, the numbers clearly display how Detroit’s rushing efficiency, explosive plays, and clutch execution made the difference in this Week 1 overtime contest.
