Sunday, December 14, 2025

Post Game Lions Links for Sunday 12-14-25

Articles:

RECAP: Lions at Rams:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/recap-lions-at-rams-goff-hutchinson-stbrown



Lions' Second-Half Slide Costly in 41-34 Loss to Rams:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/lions-second-half-slide-costly-41-34-loss-to-rams





Five reasons the Lions lost, 41-34, to the Rams; still a chance for playoffs but it’s slim:  https://lionslowdown.com/2025/12/15/five-reasons-the-lions-lost-41-34-to-the-rams-still-a-chance-for-playoffs-but-its-slim/

Questions, takeaways from NFL Week 15: Our reporters break down every game, including the Eagles' shutout win (Lions - Have the Lions ruined their playoff hopes? Every game matters at this point as the Lions continue to fight for a playoff spot with time running out this season. Although reaching the postseason is not impossible, it isn't a given either. It goes without saying that Detroit dug themselves a deeper hole with the latest loss against the Rams, as their chance to make the playoffs is now 34% (independent of other games), according to ESPN Analytics. Also concerning is that Detroit's defense allowed a season-high 41 points on Sunday.  Stat to know: Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson's 58-yard interception return at 8:24 in the first quarter off Stafford was the fourth-longest by a defensive lineman in team history, and the longest since Shaun Rogers (66 yards) on Nov. 4, 2007. Hutchinson now has five career interceptions, which also ties Larry Hand for the most interceptions by a defensive lineman in franchise history. -- Eric Woodyard):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47287157/nfl-week-15-2025-season-questions-takeaways-lessons-stats-recap-every-game

NFL Week 15 Recap: Los Angeles Rams 41, Detroit Lions 34:  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-15-recap-los-angeles-rams-41-detroit-lions-34-2025

NFL Week 15 takeaways: What We Learned from Sunday's 14 games (Lions at Rams - Kevin Patra's takeaways:  1. Rams dominate second half, blast past Lions. After a back-and-forth, explosive-filled first half, Los Angeles flexed its top-seeded muscle and ran away from Detroit. The Rams headed into halftime trailing, 24-17, having given up 271 yards to Detroit. Matthew Stafford then ripped darts, and the defense smothered Jared Goff. L.A. outgained Detroit, 179 yards to 5 in the third quarter, scoring 17 points to take control. Stafford was off a tick early, but found his mojo, zipping lasers and on-the-mark lobs. The MVP candidate torched his former team for 368 yards on 24-of-38 passing with two touchdowns and an early interception. Puka Nacua (nine receptions for 181 yards) was unstoppable, making massive catches to move the chains. At this point, Puka is unguardable. The ground game with Kyren Williams (15/78/2) and Blake Corum (11/71/1) churned out yards and thrived in the red zone, where L.A. has struggled at times. The Rams' defense closed down the Lions' big plays in the second half, smothering the Lions, forcing three consecutive three-and-outs to turn the tenor of the contest. When the Rams are playing complementary football, they’re the best squad in the NFC.  2. Lions sputter with playoff hopes dwindling. Jared Goff and the Lions looked up to the moment, searching for a big win on the road versus the current No. 1 seed. With solid protection, Goff shredded L.A., making pinpoint plays downfield to Amon-Ra St. Brown (13/163/2) and Jameson Williams (7/134/1). The Lions moved up and down the field with explosives early. When those dried up, and the offensive line became leaky, the Lions couldn’t move the ball in the second half, only finding paydirt when down two scores late. The Rams did a spectacular job bottling up Jahmyr Gibbs , not allowing the explosive back to get loose. Gibbs generated just 58 scrimmage yards, including just 38 on 13 rushing attempts. Gibbs earned just one play over 10 yards. The Lions' run game was smothered, generating just 70 yards. With a banged-up defense, the offense couldn’t afford the third-quarter lull that changed the game. With Sunday’s loss, the Lions fall to 8-5, needing to win out and get some help to return to the postseason. Detroit has a 40% playoff probability, per Next Gen Stats.  3. Rams punch playoff ticket. Sunday’s win moved Sean McVay’s squad to 11-3, retaining their spot as the No. 1 seed in the conference. L.A. stays atop the NFC West, keeping pace with the 11-3 Seahawks. The dueling winners are set to face off on Thursday night in Seattle for a massive showdown for the division lead and the top seed. The Rams could be without Davante Adams for the pivotal showdown. Adams left the game early in the fourth quarter after pulling up lame with a hamstring injury. The Rams would miss the big wideout, particularly in the red zone, if the injury is a long-term issue.  Next Gen Stats Insight for Rams-Lions (via NFL Pro): Puka Nacua caught nine of 11 targets for a career-high 181 yards, including all four targets for 134 yards on vertical routes. This marks back-to-back games with over 100 yards on vertical routes for Nacua, who recorded five receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns on such routes last week against the Cardinals.  NFL Research: Kyren Williams joined Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk and Steven Jackson as the only Rams players with 1,000-plus rushing yards in three or more consecutive seasons.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-week-15-takeaways-what-we-learned-from-sunday-s-14-games

NFL Winners and Losers: Bengals are now on the clock to make things right with Joe Burrow, if they can (LOSERS - Lions defense: Even if the Detroit Lions rally to win their final three games and make the playoffs, it’s hard to believe that they can make a long run.  It’s not because of the offense, which was fine again on Sunday against the Rams. The defense, riddled with injuries for a second straight season, will just have trouble keeping Detroit in games.  Matthew Stafford made his pitch for his MVP candidacy against his former team, throwing for more than 368 yards with a pair of touchdowns. It's not like Detroit offered much resistance against him. The Rams won 41-34 to stay in a first-place tie with the Seahawks, who they face next Thursday night in Seattle.  The Lions should win when they score 34 points, even if it’s against Stafford. But the defense doesn’t look like it’s close to championship quality this season.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/nfl-winners-and-losers-bengals-are-now-on-the-clock-to-make-things-right-with-joe-burrow-if-they-can-211827212.html

Rams spoil Jared Goff's return to L.A., hamper Lions' playoff hopes thanks to second-half defense and run game:  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/rams-spoil-jared-goffs-return-to-la-hamper-lions-playoff-hopes-thanks-to-second-half-defense-and-run-game-003905668.html

4 Takeaways From the Rams' Win Over the Lions:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/4-takeaways-from-rams-win-over-lions

Lions vs. Rams Highlights: Los Angeles Wins High-Scoring Affair, Clinches Playoff Spot:  https://www.foxsports.com/live-blog/nfl/lions-vs-rams-live-updates-score-from-americas-game-week

Colby Parkinson touchdown, explained: How Rams benefited from controversial TD call vs. Lions:  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/colby-parkinson-touchdown-explained-rams-controversial-td-call-lions/1b3e7c559272f6df484e8999









Matthew Stafford rallies Rams to 41-34 victory over Lions, clinching another playoff berth:  https://apnews.com/article/rams-lions-score-stafford-goff-6a4fa84d43c3977074883d6985692521

Grades:

CBS (Lions Grade B-.  The secret seems to be out on beating the Lions: Going into Week 15, the Lions were 0-4 this season when they were held to under 100 yards rushing and that's now 0-5 after Detroit was held to just 70 yards on the ground. When the Lions run the ball well, that allows them to control the game flow. When they don't run the ball well, that means Jared Goff and the defense both have to be perfect. Goff did a good job of carrying the team in the first half, but the offense pulled a no-show to start the second half. On Detroit's first three drives of the second half, the Lions went three-and-out all three times while totaling just 8 yards. During that span, the Rams scored 17 points and put the game away. The defense has struggled all year -- this is the eighth time the Lions (8-6) have given up 27 points or more -- and with this latest loss, the Lions now have no margin for error if they want to make the playoffs.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-15-grades-chiefs-get-c-playoff-elimination-bills-earn-b/

Video:



Lions vs. Rams highlights | Week 15:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/lions-vs-rams-highlights-week-15

David Montgomery's goal line TD trims Rams' lead 41-33:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/david-montgomery-s-goal-line-td-trims-rams-lead-41-33

Goff's third TD pass of first half locates Jameson Williams for 31-yard score:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-goff-s-third-td-pass-of-first-half-goes-to-williams

Second Goff-to-St. Brown TD connection of game gives Lions a 16-14 lead:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-goff-finds-st-brown-for-the-pair-s-second-td-of-the-game

Amon-Ra St. Brown's 10th TD catch of '25 opens scoring in Lions-Rams game:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-goff-hits-st-brown-for-18-yard-td

Can't-Miss Play: 52-yard gain! St. Brown races around Rams for big-time pickup:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-52-yard-gain-st-brown-races-around-rams-for-big-time-pickup

Jared Goff's 22-yard lob to Jameson Williams moves DET inside Rams' territory:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jared-goff-s-22-yard-lob-to-jameson-williams-moves-det-inside-rams-territory

Can't-Miss Play: 58-YARD INT return! Aidan Hutchinson off to the races after picking off Stafford:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-58-yard-int-return-hutchinson-takes-off-after-picking-stafford

Posted by LionsFan at 9:23 PM

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