Jameson Williams with outstanding game in the Lions' OT win against the Rams

DETROIT – With the game ball firmly in his hand, an excited Jameson Williams entered the postgame press conference room at Ford Field for the first time in his career on Sunday night with a big grin on his face.

“I’ve never done that before,” the third-year Detroit Lions receiver told the media room.

Williams found himself in the spotlight after catching five passes and setting a personal-high 121 receiving yards in Detroit's nail-biting 26-20 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams.

His previous high was 69 yards in Dallas in Week 17 of last season.

“This is only Game 1. I put a lot of work into it. I expected a big game. I personally expect a big game,” Williams said. “I guess this is just great for the world because it's my first, but I plan on playing a lot more. I don't plan on this being the best game of my career. I plan on this being just the beginning of being myself.”

Williams, the No. 12 pick in the 2022 draft, flew into the end zone to celebrate after dispatching his defender down the left sideline and scoring an electrifying 52-yard touchdown after a long pass from Jared Goff at 10:37 of the third quarter.

The touchdown was the longest touchdown of his career and his second-longest pass, behind a 64-yard touchdown last season in Dallas. Coach Dan Campbell said he believes the former Alabama star can step it up a gear and continue to improve after his big day in the season opener.

“He showed up. I mean, that was a big game where he was able to catch some of those balls and hang on. And the best part was he didn't even play his best ball,” Campbell said. “There's so much to work through, but it also shows the work he's put in, and he's improving, and he's an improved player, and he wants it, and he keeps working at it. And he just keeps making those steps.”

Williams' NFL career didn't start as expected, as he suffered a torn ACL and was banned from gambling in his first two seasons. But after an impressive summer, he earned the trust of Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and the coaching staff, who had no qualms about giving him a larger role in the system.

His 121 receiving yards on Sunday were the third-most receiving yards by a Lions player in a season opener since 2000, behind Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson in 2015 (164) and TJ Hockenson in 2019 (131). But he is not satisfied with this one game. And he has never lacked confidence.

“I felt like an NFL star, too, but that's only just starting to show. I don't see this as another game,” Williams said. “It's just the beginning. It's the first game of the season. But I have a lot more in me.”

For the Lions, the win over the Rams was their first overtime victory since 2016. They won the coin toss and got the ball, then ran on seven of their eight plays and wore down the Rams' defense with their strong ground attack. Running back David Montgomery narrowly sealed the win with a 1-yard rushing score.

The Lions were forced into overtime after blowing a 14-point lead, and All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown could only catch three passes for 13 yards. However, Detroit managed to pull out the win after shaking off early rust (most of its starters had rested during the preseason) and Williams filled the void.

Williams said Sunday's game ball was his first of his entire playing career and he will not soon forget the experience and emotions.

“I've never been handed a game ball, not at Bama, not anywhere,” Williams said, staring at the football. “I'm not going to lie. This one might not be out of my hands. I might fall asleep like this.”

Despite the win, the Lions (1-0) hope for a cleaner performance in Week 2 when they return to Ford Field on September 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“There were certainly things that were below our standard,” said Goff, who completed 10 of 28 passes for 217 yards while throwing a touchdown and a pick. “But yeah, some of the operational stuff is ultimately my job and was good enough for a win, but not good enough for our standard.”