First, the Detroit Lions were in a commanding position in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams. Then Matthew Stafford led the Rams revival and even threatened to win the game late in the fourth quarter. But there was another twist, as a one-yard TD by David Montgomery spared the Lions’ blushes.

The 26-20 overtime win got a lot of hearts pounding and former Eagles Center Jason Kelce observed he was about ready to jump out of his seat after witnessing the thrilling finish to the game.

Montgomery’s battering ram of a run in the OT to secure the win, in particular, got the attention. Detroit’s game-winning drive was a masterclass in execution. They gained at least 9 yards on their first four plays in overtime, setting the stage for David Montgomery’s 1-yard touchdown plunge, leaving Kelce awestruck.

“Wow, Detroit just ran the ball down their throat. Holy s**t that was an impressive drive in overtime!!” Kelce posted on X. He added, “I’ll be up for another 2 hours because of that, adrenaline is through the roof!” Kelce’s raw, unfiltered reaction captured the intensity of the moment and highlighted the Lions’ ability to seize control when it mattered most.

The Lions’ victory was a testament to their resilience. They bounced back from a late-game deficit, tying the score with Jake Bates‘ 32-yard field goal with 17 seconds of regulation time left. Then, they capitalized on winning the overtime coin toss, marching down the field with a mix of runs and passes that left the Rams’ defense gasping for air. Montgomery, who finished with 91 rushing yards on 17 carries, capped off an eight-play, 70-yard drive that showcased why he is the Lions’ closer.

The Lions’ head coach, Dan Campbell, summarized the win like this: “Early in the season, a lot of games come down to who makes the fewest mistakes. We made one less than they did.” The win for the Lions was incredible, but spare a thought for Matthew Stafford.

With the Rams down at 3-17 in the third quarter, Stafford led the charge. The Rams scored a TD in the fourth quarter to reduce the deficit 10-17, followed by a field goal to make it 13-17. Stafford proved his caliber in the Rams’ next drive completing all eight of his passes, including a 9-yard touchdown to Cooper Kupp as they led with less than 5 minutes left.

However, the Lions had a comeback of their own to take the game into over time. Yet, Stafford’s performance stood out. The Rams QB was 34-for-49 passing for 317 yards, one touchdown, and a pick. However, the NFL’s rules meant he was left watching from the sidelines in the OT,

As the Lions cheered their way to a hard-earned victory, Stafford and the Rams were left with plenty of thoughts only wondering about what they could have accomplished. Since the NFL’s regular season overtime rules give teams goaltending wins when they score a TD, Stafford did not receive an extra-period possession.

The current overtime format for regular season games allows for a sudden-death victory if the team receiving the kickoff scores a touchdown on their opening drive. This rule differs from the postseason format, where both teams are guaranteed a possession regardless of whether the first team scores a touchdown. The contrast in rules has been debated among players, coaches, and fans alike.

Stafford’s stellar performance throughout the game was ultimately rendered moot by the coin toss and the Lions’ subsequent touchdown drive. His efforts are all the more impressive when you consider he played the second half without star wideout Puka Nacua, who was ruled out with a knee injury. Moreover, offensive lineman Steve Avila was also out due to a knee injury while right guard Kevin Dotson suffered a lateral ankle sprain.

Thus Stafford was left exposed quite a few times and took some hits. Despite that, he nearly led the Rams to a sensational win. Even Lions HC Dan Campbell couldn’t help but praise the Rams QB. “Give Matt Stafford a lot of credit he played lights out despite taking all those hits,” he said.

The sight of Stafford, helpless on the sidelines as the game ended, underscored the sometimes-cruel nature of NFL overtime rules. As for the Lions, there were a few misses for them despite their win.

The Lions had a difficult time dealing with Cooper Kupp

The Lions’ defense was once again vulnerable on Sunday. They struggled particularly to cover Kupp, who gave the Rams the lead in the fourth quarter. Kupp matched his career-high 14 receptions with 110 yards receiving and one touchdown. The fact that they led the Rams back into the game after a commanding lead will worry HC Campbell.

Their offense also blew hot and cold. Montgomery’s winning TD and  Jameson Williams’ 121 receiving yards were a positive but Jared Goff was off-color. The veteran QB was 18-for-28 for 217 yards and was the lowest-graded offensive player by Pro Football Focus. Yet there was a moment of brilliance from him. Gauff connected with Jameson Williams for a crucial 27-yard reception earlier in the game, showcasing the big-play potential of their offense.

A win is a win no matter how pretty or ugly. The Lions will take the 1-0 instead of being on the other side of the spectrum as the Rams. It’s a bitter lesson for the Rams and Stafford to learn about how quickly things can change within this league, where all it takes is one thing going wrong before everything starts spiraling in ways no amount of planning could foresee. Even if they lost, Rams gameplay was a lot more resilient and Cooper and Stafford’s performances will give HC  Sean McVay something to build on.

When all is said and done with this year’s NFL season, this game will stand as an epitome example of how the rules in overtime can curtail or propel a team into playoff contention. And a refresher that in the NFL, it’s not about how you begin but rather how you end.