The Detroit Lions have won their first playoff game in over 32 years. In a football thriller, the team led by German-American Amon Ra St. Brown narrowly won 24-23 against Los Angeles. Rams rookie Puka Nacua set an NFL record

After three clear victories for the Texans, Chiefs and Packers, the NFL playoffs experienced their first football thriller. In a dramatic game with two different halves, the Detroit Lions narrowly won 24:23 against the Los Angeles Rams.

All five touchdowns were scored in the first half; after the change of ends, a battle of attrition developed with strong defenses and a better ending for the Lions.

Amon Ra St. Brown seals the win

German-American Amon-Ra St. Brown was once again the hosts’ best receiver with seven receptions for 110 yards. His last catch gave Detroit a new first down and sealed the victory. Quarterback Jared Goff completed 22 of his 27 passes and gained 277 yards. He threw a touchdown.

On the other side, Puka Nacua was particularly brilliant. The Rams receiver set a new NFL record with 181 receiving yards – the most receiving yards by a rookie in the NFL’s long playoff history.

Playmaker Matthew Stafford threw for 367 yards (2 TDs) on his return to his old stomping ground. But it was still not enough for a win

Offensive spectacle in the first half

From the outset, the game was dominated by the two offenses. Lions QB Jared Goff found his receivers in rows and the running game also worked like clockwork.

The result: Detroit converted its first two drives into a touchdown. David Montgomery from one yard and Jahmyr Gibbs from ten yards got the hosts on the scoreboard.

It took a while for the Los Angeles Rams’ offense to click. With the score 14-3 in favor of the Lions, quarterback Matthews Stafford found rookie sensation and his favorite receiver Puka Nacua for a 50-yard touchdown.

Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell had the right answer again. As risk-taking as ever, the Lions played out a fourth attempt just before the end zone and were rewarded with a touchdown catch by tight end Sam LaPorta.

Big play after big play followed – before the break, the Rams were able to cut the deficit again after a 38-yard TD pass from Stafford to Tutu Atwell. Half-time score: 21:17 for the Lions.

In the dressing room, the defensive coordinators of both teams apparently found the right words. While it was still a touchdown festival in the first half, the two defenses dominated from the third quarter onwards.

Lions kicker Michael Badgley (54 yards) and his counterpart Brett Maher (27 yards and 29 yards) provided the only points after the break.

A last attempt by the Rams failed four minutes before the end at Detroit’s 44-yard line. The Lions never gave the ball back after that.