It's time for the first "Sunday Night Football" matchup of the 2024 season, and there almost couldn't be more storylines heading into the contest between the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
The Lions won their first playoff game in more than three decades in January when they beat the Rams 24-23 in Detroit. Matthew Stafford, who spent the first 12 years of his career with the Lions, returned to Detroit for the first time as an opposing player. The Rams lost to Jared Goff, who had quarterbacked them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2018.
Both offenses are expected to be explosive with the two talented veteran quarterbacks and there could be fireworks at Ford Field tonight. The game wraps up the first Sunday of NFL action, which saw Miami narrowly escape at home against Jacksonville and Chicago get a win in Caleb Williams' first start in the early window.
Week 1 will end with the New York Jets visiting the San Francisco 49ers on "Monday Night Football."
Game Details
Date: Sunday, Sept. 8
Location: Ford Field | Detroit
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
TV Channel: NBC
Stream: Peacock, Fubo
First Quarter Analysis
Despite Kyren Williams finishing third in the NFL in rushing last season, the Rams don't seem to be interested in making him a focal point in their offense in the early going vs. the Lions. The Rams have called 20 passing plays in their first 27 offensive snaps.
After converting on a 4th and 2 with a David Montgomery run, the Lions settled for a field goal on a 4th and goal. Both teams are on the board, but haven't been able to finish a drive yet.
Montgomery the Focal Point for Lions
Lions RB splits in the first quarter:David Montgomery: 9 of 11 snaps, 7 carriesJahmyr Gibbs: 2 of 11 snaps, 1 carry pic.twitter.com/G1Qf5j6Yxc
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) September 9, 2024
Both teams have moved the ball, but points are still at a premium. David Montgomery has carried seven times for 33 yards and the Lions are on the move heading into the second quarter, knocking on the red zone door.
Stafford Passing the Ball Early and Often
13 plays and 57 yards are what the Rams chewed up on their second drive, and it looks like Matthew Stafford is going to shoulder the load tonight. The Rams have run 16 plays and already dropped back 13 times. Stafford is 9-of-12 for 66 yards and he's been sacked once.
And the drive almost got off to a hairy start, if not for this great stab by Matthew Stafford.
Matthew Stafford. Sure handed. 😅📺: #LARvsDET on NBC/Peacock📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/YLYpBPj34P
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2024
Lions Force a Quick Punt
Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense have nothing going, and the Lions force a punt immediately. Jared Goff is headed out there now.
Pre-Game Festivities
The Lions have won the toss, and they've deferred. The Rams will get the ball first. Here we go...
Carrie Underwood kicks us off, and it's officially time for Sunday Night Football.
🎵 WEEK ONE @carrieunderwood HITS DIFFERENT! 🎵 #LARvsDET | 📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/2KwpE38boI
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 9, 2024
Everyone on the SNF broadcast, and apparently most of the United States, is taking the Lions tonight.
EVERYONE is aboard the Lions train. 😬 #LARvsDET | 📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/Mps0aop4L7
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 9, 2024
There's a group of celebrities at Ford Field ready for tonight's matchup between the Rams and Lions.
Two-time Olympic medalist Grant Fisher is ready for Sunday Night Football in Detroit!#LARvsDET 📺: NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/VkqDa615IX
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) September 8, 2024
Taylor and Taylor Lautner are dialed in for Sunday night! 🤩📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/RGpGX41kLT
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 8, 2024
Game Day Preparations
The late slate of games is now over, so SNF is all that's left today in the NFL.
Late Scores
Cowboys 33, Browns 17
Buccaneers 37, Commanders 20
Seahawks 26, Broncos 20
Chargers 22, Raiders 10
Ford Field is ready for SNF
Waiting all day for Sunday Night 🎶 pic.twitter.com/ui3H0f2utC
— Ford Field (@fordfield) September 8, 2024
It's almost time for the first "Sunday Night Football" matchup of the season.
#LARvsDET inactives presented by Henry Ford Health pic.twitter.com/sNQDsO0HtC
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 8, 2024
OL Rob Havenstein, DE Desjuan Johnson + more inactive for Week 1. ⤵️
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 8, 2024
Rams vs. Lions: A Look Back
This is a rematch of last season’s highly anticipated wild card matchup, which Detroit won 24-23 as Rams QB Matthew Stafford made his return to Detroit. Lions QB Jared Goff, who was drafted and played multiple seasons in L.A., beat his former team by throwing for 277 yards and a touchdown.
It was Detroit's first playoff win in 32 years.
The Lions' Success
The Lions kept the core of a team that was among the best in the NFL last season. Both coordinators (OC Ben Johnson & DC Aaron Glenn), but also locked up QB Jared Goff, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and right tackle Penei Sewell to new long-term contracts (all 4 years).
The Rams' New Era
The Rams will have to find a way to replace future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald, who retired this offseason. Donald wrecked havoc for years since being drafted in 2014, constantly blowing up the line to get the opposing QB. His lack of presence will be felt.
L.A. used five of its first six picks on defense, including Florida State DL teammates Jared Verse and Braden Fiske with their top two picks.
Sean McVay's Rams
The only losing season of McVay's career was in 2022, when the Rams went 5-12.
Other NFL News
Video shows the moment Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill was detained by police near the team’s home stadium during a traffic incident. Hill has been released according to the team’s X account post.
NBC’s Steve Kornacki joins TODAY to break down the NFL kickoff games happening this weekend and all the international games we’ll see this season.
Greg Rosenstein is the sports editor for NBC News Digital.
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