In an NFL Wild Card matchup of “Trading Places,” Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, the 2016 first overall draft pick by the Los Angeles Rams, faced off Sunday night against Rams QB Matthew Stafford, the 2009 No. 1 overall selection by the Lions.
The two quarterbacks were traded, in part, for each other in 2021.
Since, the two have been linked.
While failing to win a playoff game in 12 seasons with the Lions, Stafford guided the Rams to a Super Bowl title his first season with his new franchise, while Goff engineered a quick rebuild.
Twitter users reacted to Goff on Sunday leading the Lions to a 24-23 victory over the Rams, the franchise’s first playoff win since January 1992.
The ending made some grown men cry …
Emotions are high in Detroit pic.twitter.com/yN1BcXIdo2
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 15, 2024
The result also prompted a certain Lions executive to “lose it” on the post-game elevator ride to the locker room …
DETROIT LIONS GM BRAD HOLMES GOING CRAZY IN THE ELEVATOR 🔥
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) January 15, 2024
Michigan native Aidan Hutchinson, who compiled six total tackles, including two sacks and five QB hits, understood the magnitude of the Lions’ postseason drought, the league’s longest entering Sunday, ending …
LET'S GOOOOOO@aidanhutch97 | #AllGrit pic.twitter.com/GMJtBg5T6Q
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 15, 2024
Opened in 2002, Ford Field hosted its first NFL playoff game Sunday night …
ooh wee @FordField 😍 pic.twitter.com/kpsmbO49r8
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 14, 2024
After the gathering crowd started chanting the name of their starting QB, Goff led the offense out for pre-game warmups with a subliminal message …
Win on 3️⃣#AllGrit pic.twitter.com/sI0TKy5j8A
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 15, 2024
Rams’ Demarcus Robinson (15), Puka Nacua (17) and Tutu Atwell (5) show off the West Coast’s pre-game moves …
Show ‘em how the West Coast does it! 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/nXeFDqZ6GJ
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 15, 2024
Detroit’s who’s who showed up for the Lions’ first playoff game since 2016, including, from left to right, Barry Sanders, Eminem, Big Sean, and Calvin “Megatron” Johnson …
Barry. Eminem. Big Sean. Megatron.
This photo screams Detroit. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/5Hi9tH3qV9
— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2024
No longer a part of Detroit, Rams QB Matthew Stafford heard boos from his former faithful. His old No. 9 jersey was outlawed by several Metro Detroit establishments Sunday …
Boos as Matthew Stafford takes the field pic.twitter.com/yk5qZAq0Rr
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 15, 2024
The first player to score a playoff touchdown at Ford Field, David Montgomery opened the Wild Card game’s scoring on a 1-yard TD run …
Who doesn’t love a David Montgomery touchdown 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/sFpf2WEEjw
— CycloneFanatic.com (@cyclonefanatic) January 15, 2024
Lions should have been well-aware of Stafford’s ability to complete passes from a variety of throwing angles. If anyone forgot, they received a reminder on the Rams’ first drive, which resulted in a Brett Maher 24-yard field goal …
This Stafford no-look sidearm is art. 🎨 #LARvsDET | via @NFL pic.twitter.com/KXuAUnhnm0
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) January 15, 2024
The Lions’ offense was sparked by two former Rams. On the opening two series, Goff started 9-for-9 for 111 yards and wide receiver Josh Reynolds compiled four catches for 75 yards as running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored with 1:31 left in the first quarter …
Jahmyr Gibbs TD. Second Drive. 10 Yard Run.#NFLTwitter #NFLWildCard pic.twitter.com/xxvanJxI7u
— Pick 6 Pack (@Pick6PackFB) January 15, 2024
Trailing 14-3 near the end of the first quarter, Rams DT Aaron Donald attempted to fire up his teammates …
Aaron Donald trying to rally the defence, they are trailing 14-3#rams #lions pic.twitter.com/9RfRxJAdIn
— Holy Grail (@Mohqoshin) January 15, 2024
Despite playing with a hurt hand, Stafford delivered on a 50-yard TD pass to Nacua, pulling the Rams to within 14-10 …
MATTHEW STAFFORD DEEP SHOT TO PUKA NACUA TOUCHDOWN RAMS #RamsHouse
pic.twitter.com/3TanTFHwUm— Jack (@MidWestLAFan) January 15, 2024
Scoring on third consecutive possession, the Lions opened a 21-10 lead after Goff hit rookie tight end Sam LaPorta on fourth-and-one pass. LaPorta (knee) was listed as questionable to play Sunday …
Goff throws to LaPorta for a touchdown on 4th down, putting the Lions in the lead with a score of 21-10! 🎉 #LARvsDET pic.twitter.com/JdXdrCfOvP
— NFL Radar (@NFLRadar_1) January 15, 2024
The first-half shootout continued when Stafford hit Atwell for a 38-yard TD pass …
TuTu Atwell with a TD. What a zip by Stafford.#NFLTwitter #NFLWildCardWeekend pic.twitter.com/3DNCnlrKzo
— Pick 6 Pack (@Pick6PackFB) January 15, 2024
Lions placekicker Michael Badgley, who is not known for having a big leg, hit a 54-yard field goal in the third quarter. The former practice squad kicker connected on what proved to be the winning kick …
💰💰💰
Badgley is good from 5⃣4⃣#LARvsDET |📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/7QREjccOie
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 15, 2024
Interesting debate on the legitimacy of this type of hit to the knees …
Should this type of hit be illegal in the NFL??? LA Rams vs Detroit Lions 🏈 #NFLPlayoffs2024 pic.twitter.com/F2rEJneUE9
— WC Sports TV 🎥 (@wcsportsx) January 15, 2024
Nacua finished with a rookie-record 181 receiving yards, but could not haul in this third-and-14 pass, ending the Rams’ final offensive series. Was it pass interference? …
This was a clear PI. Refs vs Rams pic.twitter.com/4yU7dATD37
— Ethan Shirazi (@Ethanshirazi24) January 15, 2024
The Lions mustered just 12 second-half rushing yards when they took possession with 4:07 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Rams down to one time out. All the Lions needed was two first downs to end their playoff futility. They got them, highlighted initially by Montgomery sidestepping his way beyond the line to gain …
David Montgomery masterclass. pic.twitter.com/pmpVijyGZT
— Dave (@dave_bfr) January 15, 2024
Goff clinched the win with a gutsy throw on a second-and-nine play. Amon-Ra St. Brown made the clutch 11-yard catch …
CLUTCH. GRIT#LARvsDET on NBC | #AllGrit pic.twitter.com/Xil0TvcgvN
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 15, 2024
The final snap …
The Lions win a playoff game for the first time in 32 years! pic.twitter.com/u09TFRvCUV
— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2024
Final score: Lions 24, Rams 23 …
That's for you, Detroit 💙#AllGrit pic.twitter.com/eMxq5Whjp0
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 15, 2024
Lions coach Dan Campbell credited Goff, who completed 22 of 27 passes for 277 yards and one TD, for overcoming the QB duel with Stafford, who went 25 of 36 for 367 yards and two TDs in his old stomping grounds …
Top-notch football from @JaredGoff16@CUREInsurance pic.twitter.com/1hM6s1yxkx
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 15, 2024
The Lions will host an NFC Division Round matchup next Sunday at 3 p.m. …
NOT DONE@J_Rey_11 | #AllGrit pic.twitter.com/sKZOFZjpUY
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 15, 2024
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