Detroit Lions win 26-20 against the Rams in overtime thanks to David Montgomery

David Montgomery is the closer for the Detroit Lions.

Dan Campbell said as much on Friday, praising Montgomery's ability to set the tone early in a game and finish strong when others get tired. And on Sunday, the running back made good on his words, rushing for 45 of his 91 yards on five carries in overtime as the Lions beat the Los Angeles Rams 26-20 in the season opener at Ford Field.

Montgomery took a big 21-yard lead on the second play of overtime after the Lions nearly blew a 17-3 lead in the second half, but rallied to tie the game with a field goal with 17 seconds left, then ran 9, 9 and 8 yards before diving into the end zone on a 1-yard run.

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) celebrates his touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during overtime at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

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Montgomery is sometimes overlooked in the Lions' weapon-laden offense, but he is as big a reason as any why the team is 1-0 a week into the 2024 season.

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Here are three more quick thoughts on the Lions' win over the Rams on Sunday Night Football.

Jameson Williams hits the big time

Everyone in the Lions organization has been singing Jameson Williams's praises this offseason, and the third-year receiver had perhaps the best game of his career on Sunday.

Williams caught five passes for 121 yards and scored a 52-yard touchdown in the third quarter and was a catalyst for virtually everything good the Lions did on offense.

With the Rams determined to take Amon-Ra St. Brown (three catches, 13 yards) out of the game, Williams became Goff's favorite target. He helped the Lions take a 10-3 lead in the first half with a 36-yard catch on an over route while outrunning safety Quentin Lake and had a 13-yard gain on an end-around later in the series.

Williams hit a double, faked a fumble and drew a pass interference penalty while outrunning cornerback Tre'Davious White. He won't rush for 100 yards every week, but his speed is a nuclear weapon.

Hands off

First-round pick Terrion Arnold was penalized twice for pass interference in the second half, both times near the goal line to preserve the Rams' scoring chances.

None of Arnold's penalties were egregious. The first was when he grabbed Cooper Kupp by the shoulder pads and the second was when he touched Demarcus Robinson in the end zone. But Arnold was known as a handsy player in college and will have to learn in the pros when and where he can get away with extra physical contact.

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I thought the Lions' revamped secondary played well overall on Sunday, despite Brian Branch and Carlton Davis III dropping interceptions in addition to Arnold's penalties. Branch and Davis had pass breakups four plays apart midway through the second quarter, with Davis' stop coming on fourth-and-3 and forcing a turnover on downs, and Kerby Joseph had an interception in the end zone.

Apparently, the Lions' new additions in the offseason were the hoped-for reinforcements for their secondary.

Hutchinson scores

Aidan Hutchinson is having a monster year.

Hutchinson had five tackles, four quarterback hits and a sack on the final play of regulation Sunday, and those stats don't nearly describe what he meant to the Lions defense.

Hutchinson also received two holding penalties as the Lions limited the Rams to a field goal after LA reached Detroit's 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter. His ability to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks is something that only a few pass rushers in the NFL can match: TJ Watt, Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby.

Detroit Lions win 26-20 against the Rams in overtime thanks to David Montgomery

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Detroit Lions win 26-20 against the Rams in overtime thanks to David Montgomery

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