The Lions made it a little harder on themselves than it needed to be in their 26-20 overtime win against the Rams. Detroit has matchup advantages at just about every level over the young Rams defense. It felt like they were playing with their food at times on Sunday night, as stars like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta weren’t involved. Then overtime happened and the Lions leaned into what the core of their identity is, was and always has been: they are bullies. With a gassed Rams defense on the other side, the Lions' offensive line moved men and pushed piles. Detroit handed the ball off to David Montgomery five times and he barreled through L.A. with some teach-tape style of runs on the way to the game-winning touchdown. It was a pure, uncut Detroit Lions drive. Prior to the extra quarter, we saw some new pitches from the Lions on offense, as well. Jahmyr Gibbs was coming off of an injury and some assumed he might be limited in his return. Instead, it looked like Gibbs was taking an authoritative step forward in the running back room. Gibbs had five targets in the first four quarters and 11 carries, including some work at the goal line. Montgomery finished the night but Gibbs has continued to demonstrate he’s gaining ground as a technically sound tempo runner in the same vein as the veteran. Look for him to continue to ascend as the season wears on and he gets healthier. The bigger development, however, was in Detroit's passing game. As mentioned, usual staples LaPorta and St. Brown combined for 58 yards. Usually St. Brown clears that all on his own. He went under that total just three times all of last season. And yet, the Lions weren’t in any trouble because, instead of the usual suspects, it was Jameson Williams who led the way with nine targets for 121 yards and a score. Williams did the vast majority of his damage on a 52-yard score where he obliterated former Bills corner Tre'Davious White: This isn’t just getting open. This is shredding another man. — Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) September 9, 2024 That wasn’t the only way Williams made his presence known. He also caught three passes working across the formation as a layup target who produced extra yards after the catch. That’s the type of dirty-work, target-earning skills he showed in college, in addition to his world-class speed, that made him a first-round draft pick. A note I discussed when doing (something I never do) the splits of Jameson Williams' #ReceptionPerception charting last season was that in the final five games sampled, he posted an 84.8% success rate vs. zone coverage, which would have been a top-five mark among all players… — Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) September 9, 2024 A smiling and fully dancing Williams said in the postgame interview that having the faith of his head coach and quarterback “meant a lot because I’ve been through a lot.” The conviction was demonstrated all offseason through words and actions of the coaching staff and front office. It was all reaffirmed in the most critical way on Sunday night. Will we get this version of Williams over the course of a full 17-game season and into the playoffs? That’s no lock but what we witnessed Sunday night was how critical that development is for an offense that’s already spoiled in terms of playmakers. A full-scale Williams breakout would change the complexion of distribution in this offense. Even just a leap forward with the skills he showed in the Week 1 win brings a new and dangerous wrinkle to an already elite unit. ## The Rise of Jameson Williams The First Sign of What Could Be a Major Breakout Williams' performance wasn't just a flash in the pan; it was a sign of things to come. He's shown flashes of his potential in the past, but this game was different. He demonstrated a more refined route running ability, demonstrating an ability to get open against tight coverage. This was not the Jameson Williams who struggled to adjust to the NFL game last year. This was a confident player, ready to seize his opportunity. Beyond Speed: The Full Arsenal of a Top Receiver Williams' talent is more than just his impressive speed, though that's certainly a key component. He has the size and the hands to make contested catches, which he displayed on numerous occasions in the game. He's also a capable after-the-catch runner, adding another layer to his skillset. The Lions seem to be finally unleashing him. The Key to the Lions' Offense If Williams can continue to build on this performance, he could become a game-changing force for the Lions. He has the potential to be a true No. 1 receiver in this league, and his presence alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown could make Detroit's offense truly unstoppable. The Lions have a lot to look forward to if Williams' breakout is for real. ## What's Next for Williams The Rams game was a promising start, but it's just one game. The true test will be how Williams performs consistently over the course of the season. If he can maintain this level of play, he's going to be a nightmare for opposing defenses. The Lions' offense will benefit immensely from his development. The NFL is a league of “what have you done for me lately?”, but if Williams can consistently produce, his name will be on everyone's lips. It's Still Early Days While the signs are positive, it's important to remember that it's still early days in Williams' career. The Lions will have to find ways to get him the ball consistently, and he'll need to continue to develop his all-around game. But the potential is undeniable, and if he can live up to it, Williams could be one of the most exciting young players in the league for years to come.