INGLEWOOD, Calif. — an Campbell rolled the dice late in the first half, with the team’s first fourth-down conversion since Week 10 leading to a halftime lead.
The Detroit Lions (8-5) lead the Los Angeles Rams (10-3), 24-17, at halftime in what would be a crucial win for their playoff hopes, adding more paths to punch their ticket.
After both teams failed to score on their opening possessions, they combined for five straight scoring possessions before the Lions forced a late punt.
Lions kicker Jake Bates missed a 43-yard field goal attempt on the opening drive. But the defense came up with a huge stop. Matthew Stafford and the Rams worked their way downfield, with Davante Adams standing out. But Aidan Hutchinson made a perfect read on a screen attempt inside the red zone, intercepting the pass and returning it 57 yards.
Jared Goff hit Amon-Ra St. Brown for the 17-yard touchdown one play later with 8:12 remaining in the first quarter. The Lions went up 7-0, thanks to the big-time swing play by Hutchinson and the offense taking advantage of the opportunity.
The Rams responded with a gutsy 13-play scoring drive, highlighted by wideout Puka Nacua converting on two fourth-down attempts. Running back Kyren Williams tied the game at 7-7 with a 4-yard touchdown with 2:47 remaining in the first quarter.
Bates put the Lions up 10-7 on the next drive after the offense stalled inside the 10-yard line. The Lions kicker hit the 24-yard attempt with 12:04 left in the first half.
Los Angeles went right back down the field in a hurry, though. Williams went 19 yards on the first play of the series, then Stafford hit Nacua for a 36-yard gain over the head of Lions cornerback D.J. Reed. Williams punched in the 1-yard touchdown to put the Rams up 14-10 with 8:31 left in the second quarter.
The Lions kept the offensive fireworks coming to answer the Rams’ re-taking the lead. St. Brown nearly dropped a deep shot from Goff, but handled the bobbled double-catch to hit the 52-yard gain. St. Brown added his second touchdown of the first half, taking a designed screen pass 8 yards on third-and-5 to put the Lions up 17-14 with 6:12 left in the half.
Detroit’s defense forced the first punt of the game with 3:09 left in the half, protecting its lead. Linebacker Alex Anzalone and Hutchinson spit the third-down sack near midfield that led to the punt.
Dan Campbell rolled the dice on fourth-and-1 from their own 29-yard line at the two-minute warning. Goff rolled out and hit St. Brown for the team’s first fourth-down conversion since Week 10 in Washington.
Goff threw his third touchdown of the first half to Jameson Williams over the head of the defense with 30 seconds left in the first half. Campbell’s gutsy decision led to a crucial 10-point lead.
The Rams were led down the field in those 30 seconds, though, with Stafford to Nacua connecting for a 37-yard catch to set up LA’s 37-yard field goal to end the half.
St. Brown has nine catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Williams has four catches for 92 yards and one touchdown. Williams and St. Brown have been the only targeted Lions receivers through the first 30 minutes. Goff has completed 14 passes on 20 attempts for 221 yards and those three touchdowns.
Los Angeles entered with the NFL’s second-best red zone defense. They forced the missed field goal and another short kick, but the Lions added two touchdowns from inside the 20-yard line.
Detroit’s playoff hopes didn’t get any help during the early slate. The Chicago Bears beat the Cleveland Browns, 31-3, moving to 10-4 on the season. Chicago plays the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers before that potentially big Week 18 showdown.
The Rams will open the second half on offense, with a chance to capitalize on the late first-half score.
