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'Closer' David Montgomery's clutch finish delivers Detroit Lions' 26-20 victory over Rams
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- 'Closer' David Montgomery's clutch finish delivers Detroit Lions' 26-20 victory over Rams
David Montgomery is the Detroit Lions' closer.
Dan Campbell said as much Friday, praising Montgomery's ability to set a tone to start games and finish out strong when others tire, and the running back delivered on those words Sunday, rushing for 45 of his 91 yards on five carries in overtime as the Lions beat the Los Angeles Rams , 26-20, in the season opener at Ford Field.
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Montgomery had a big 21-yard gain on the second play of overtime, after the Lions nearly blew a 17-3 second-half lead only to rally for the game-tying field goal with 17 seconds left, then followed with runs of 9, 9 and 8 yards before plunging into the end zone on a 1-yard run.
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) celebrates scoring a touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during overtime at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
SHAWN WINDSOR: Detroit Lions finally remember their identity in OT as they bully LA Rams in 26-20 win
Montgomery is sometimes overlooked on a Lions offense loaded with weapons, but he's as big a reason as any why the team is 1-0 one week into the 2024 season.
Here are three more quick thoughts on the Lions' win vs. the Rams on Sunday Night Football.
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Jameson Williams comes up big
Everyone in the Lions organization sang Jameson Williams' praise this offseason, and the third-year receiver had maybe the best game of his career Sunday.
Williams caught five passes for 121 yards and scored on a 52-yard touchdown in the third quarter and was a catalyst for just about everything good the Lions did offensively.
With the Rams determined to take Amon-Ra St. Brown (three catches, 13 yards) out of the game, Williams emerged as Goff 's favorite target. He helped the Lions take a 10-3 lead in the first half with a 36-yard catch on an over route, when he ran away from safety Quentin Lake , and had a 13-yard gain on an end-around later in the series.
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Williams scored on a double move, faking a hitch and drawing a pass interference penalty as he blew by cornerback Tre'Davious White. He won't have 100 yards every week, but his speed is a nuclear weapon.
CARLOS MONARREZ: Lions' Jameson Williams already looks ready for breakout after just one game
Hands off
First-round pick Terrion Arnold was flagged twice for pass interference penalties in the second half, both near the goal line to keep alive Rams scoring drives.
Neither of Arnold's penalties were egregious. He grabbed Cooper Kupp by the shoulder pads on the first, and made contact in the end zone with Demarcus Robinson early on the second. But Arnold was known as a handsy player in college and will have to learn when and where he can get away with extra contact in the pros.
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) tackles Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
JEFF SEIDEL: Sure, there were problems, but Detroit Lions showed off special traits in win over Rams
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I thought the Lions' new-look secondary played well overall Sunday, though Brian Branch and Carlton Davis III dropped interceptions in addition to Arnold's penalties. Branch and Davis had pass breakups four plays apart midway through the second quarter, with Davis' stop coming on fourth-and-3 to force a turnover on downs, and Kerby Joseph had an interception in the end zone.
Clearly, the Lions' offseason additions were the upgrade they hoped for their secondary.
Hutchinson comes up big
Aidan Hutchinson runs out of the tunnel during the Detroit Lions season opener against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field in Detroit, on Sunday, Sept. 8. 2024.
Aidan Hutchinson is going to have a monster year.
Hutchinson had five tackles, four quarterback hits and a sack on the final play of regulation Sunday, and that stat line doesn't come close to describing all that he meant to the Lions defense.
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Hutchinson also drew two holding penalties when the Lions held the Rams to a field goal after LA reached the Detroit 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter. His ability to get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks is something only a few pass rushers — T.J. Watt , Myles Garrett , Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby — in the NFL can match.
The third-year defensive end did have a roughing-the-passer penalty, but he could have easily had three sacks if not for one of the holding penalties and letting Matthew Stafford slip out of his hands another time.
Dave Birkett is the author of the new book, " Detroit Lions : An Illustrated Timeline." Preorder it now from Reedy Press .
Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions power to 26-20 OT win over Rams behind David Montgomery
