After hot start, Lions collapse in second half, falling to NFC-leading Rams

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Inglewood, Calif. — The Detroit Lions came out swinging against the big, bad Los Angeles Rams. They got an early turnover that they knew they’d need, and they racked up 24 points in the first half with a number of big plays in the passing game.

However, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. For the Lions, the wheels came off after the half, with the Rams outscoring the visitors, 17-0, in the third quarter en route to a 41-34 victory at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

With the loss, Detroit’s season is on the brink.

At 8-6, the Lions will almost certainly need to win their final three games to get back to the postseason for a third consecutive year, and even that might not be enough as the teams they’re chasing in the Wild Card race — Chicago and San Francisco — continued their winning ways this weekend.

Coming into the matchup against the Rams as a touchdown underdog, Detroit managed to jump out to a 24-14 lead behind an interception by Aidan Hutchinson, a pair of touchdown receptions by Amon-Ra St. Brown, and a third to Jameson Williams in the closing minute of the first half.

However, the Rams (11-3) hung around and were able to get a field goal as time expired in the second quarter, trimming Detroit’s lead to a touchdown at the break.

Coming out of the locker room, the Rams took command, scoring on all three of their possessions and racking up 179 yards in the frame. The team’s defense also tightened up, forcing a trio of punts without allowing a first down.

Down 10 going into the final quarter, the Lions finally managed to get a stop and a field goal following the Rams punt, getting back within a score. However, the Rams regained breathing room with a six-play scoring drive capped by quarterback Matthew Stafford’s second touchdown pass of the game.

Detroit stayed alive with a 12-play touchdown series that used a little more than two minutes off the clock. Running back David Montgomery capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run off a direct snap with 2:42 remaining.

However, by securing a single first down on the ensuing possession, the Rams used up all but 13 seconds before giving the ball back to the Lions. Detroit got off one snap, a hook-and-ladder, before time expired.

Scoring summary

First quarter

● 8:07 — One play after Aidan Hutchinson returned an interception deep into Rams territory, Goff found Amon-Ra St. Brown on a post pattern for a 17-yard touchdown. LIONS 7, RAMS 0

● 2:44 — The Rams countered with a 13-play touchdown drive that included two fourth-down conversions by Puka Nacua, leading to a 4-yard scoring run by Kyren Williams. LIONS 7, RAMS 7

Second quarter

● 12:07 — David Montgomery carried the ball six times for 31 yards, including a 10-yard romp on a third-and-1 snap, but the Lions stalled inside the 10-yard line and had to settle for a short Jake Bates field goal to re-take the lead. LIONS 10, RAMS 7

● 8:34 — Opening with a pair of explosive plays — a 19-yard Williams run, followed by a 36-yard play-action pass to Nacua — things got muddy in the red zone with Detroit committing penalties in the secondary on back-to-back snaps, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run for Williams. RAMS 14, LIONS 10

● 6:12 — Maneuvering within the pocket to escape pressure, Goff floated a pass to St. Brown across the middle, who bobbled the throw before hauling it in and racing 34 yards after the catch for a 52-yard gain. Three snaps later, St. Brown took a screen pass on the perimeter and powered through a couple of defenders for an 8-yard score. LIONS 17, RAMS 14

● 0:30 — Despite going 0-for-7 on the team’s recent fourth-down tries, the Lions went for it on fourth-and-1 at their own 29 and converted with a play-action pass to St. Brown. They were rewarded for the bold decision by driving 80 yards in nine plays with Goff hitting Jameson Williams for a 31-yard score on a post. LIONS 24, RAMS 14

● 0:00 — Cornerback DJ Reed stumbled, letting Nacua get open for a 37-yard grab down the sideline. That allowed the Rams to net a field goal before the half, making it a one-score game at the break. LIONS 24, RAMS 17

Third quarter

● 9:07 — The Rams cruised into Detroit territory to open the second half and had a fresh set of downs after converting a fourth-and-1 on the ground. However, a Roy Lopez sack followed by a botched shotgun snap ended the threat, resulting in a 44-yard Harrison Mevis field goal. LIONS 24, RAMS 20

● 2:26 — Taking over deep in their own territory after forcing the Lions to punt, the Rams marched 88 yards on nine plays, with Stafford delivering a pair of third-down conversions through the air. That led to a 26-yard touchdown to tight end Colby Parkinson, who beat the coverage of safety Daniel Thomas down the right sideline. RAMS 27, LIONS 24

● 0:28 — After forcing a three-and-out, the Rams needed two plays to return to the end zone, getting a 39-yard pass to Nacua across the middle, followed by an 11-yard touchdown run by Blake Corum around the left side. RAMS 34, LIONS 24

Fourth quarter

● 7:54 — Finally forcing a punt, the Lions got back within a score with a 48-yard Bates field goal. RAMS 34, LIONS 27

● 4:49 — Jumpstarted by three runs for a combined 36 yards, Stafford found Nacua for 12 yards into the red zone, followed by an 11-yard touchdown toss to Parkinson as fans showered the QB with chants of “MVP! MVP! MVP!” RAMS 41, LIONS 27

● 2:42 — Goff quickly completed a trio of passes for 48 yards, but the Lions would need 12 plays, and a pass interference penalty on fourth-and-goal, to get into the end zone. Montgomery capped the drive with a 1-yard run off a direct snap, temporarily keeping the comeback effort afloat. RAMS 41, LIONS 34

Turnovers

● With the Rams driving into the red zone with their opening possession of the game, Hutchinson jumped a screen pass attempt to Parkinson and returned it 58 yards.

Key stats

● Goff completed 25-of-41 for 338 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions.

● The ground game struggled much of the day, with Gibbs and Montgomery combining for 70 yards and one touchdown with 20 carries.

● After racking up nine grabs for 127 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, St. Brown finished with 13 receptions for 163 yards. Jameson Williams added seven catches for 135 yards and a score.

● Jack Campbell paced the defense with 14 tackles, while Hutchinson added a sack to go with his interception.

Notable

● Bates missed a 43-yard field goal wide left on the game’s opening possession.

● Punter Jack Fox had his first touchback of the year when a 62-yard effort sailed into the end zone in the fourth quarter.

Injuries

● Rams star receivers Davante Adams (hamstring) and Nacua (cramps) both exited with injuries in the second half.

Inactives

The Lions made the following players inactive for the contest: Safety Kerby Joseph, safety Thomas Harper, defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo, defensive lineman Tyler Lacy, cornerback Nick Whiteside, wide receiver Dominic Lovett and offensive lineman Kayode Awosika.

Joseph (knee) and Harper (concussion) were ruled out before the game with injuries, while Awosika missed a second straight with a foot injury. The other four players were healthy scratches.

Next game

Detroit returns to Ford Field for its final home game of the season. They’ll host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 4:25 p.m.