1) Lions find a way to grind out a historic win. This one was 32 years in the making for Detroit, a city filled with fans yearning for a legitimate result to cheer for. They received it Sunday night, but not without some tense moments. The Lions jumped out to an early lead, firing on all cylinders offensively and putting 21 points on the board by the midpoint of the second quarter. But eventually, the chess match that is playoff football set in. The Lions scored just three points in the second half and needed every single one of them, breathing a sigh of relief when embattled kicker Mike Badgley drilled a 54-yarder to put their lead to 24-17. Aaron Glenn's defense finished the job from there, limiting the Rams to two short field goals after Los Angeles twice advanced deep into Detroit's red zone. And in classic Lions fashion, coach Dan Campbell's aggression showed in the way they closed out the game, dialing up a second-and-9 pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown to secure the final first down needed to run out the remaining clock.
2) Jared Goff exorcises a demon. Goff spoke during the week about how the Rams' decision to trade him to Detroit in unceremonious fashion left a permanent chip on his shoulder. On Sunday night, he earned perhaps the most satisfying win of his career, leading the Lions to an early 14-3 lead and three touchdowns on three straight drives, landing a couple of haymakers on his former employer. It wasn't a four-quarter fireworks show for Goff, who was kept out of the end zone in the second half, but he checked off just about every key goal for the game: throw for 250-plus yards, complete a touchdown pass (on fourth-and-goal, no less), avoid committing crushing mistakes (neither team turned it over) and keep the Lions on track. He did all of that, outlasting the Rams and instantly becoming a hero in Detroit as the franchise's first playoff-winning quarterback in over 30 years.
3) Dan Campbell earns another validating feather for his cap. When Campbell was introduced as the Lions' next coach a few years ago and started talking about biting kneecaps, he became a punchline. When his Lions struggled early in his tenure, it seemed as if he might not be long for Detroit. But let Sunday night be a lesson for those without patience. It remains a virtue, and it can produce incredible reward. Campbell's Lions got here not on sheer talent alone, but by embracing his focus on shifting the franchise's culture from that of an also-ran to a tough, scrappy team that has since transformed into a contender. It's just one playoff win, but it's a significant one. Now, their next test will be even more important.
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