The resounding roars of 65,000 faithful fans reverberated throughout Ford Field on Sunday, as the Detroit Lions faced off against the Seattle Seahawks in an electrifying week two showdown. Swathed in blue ski-masks, the crowd witnessed a game replete with heart-stopping moments and dramatic turns. Unfortunately, the hometown crowd left disappointed as the Seahawks pulled off the upset, defeating the Lions 37-31 in overtime.
First Quarter: Momentum Swings and Roaring Lions
Despite missing their starting offensive tackles, the Seahawks orchestrated a powerful 12-play, 70-yard opening drive, a testament to their offensive firepower. The Lions utilized the home support to their advantage, forcing two false starts from the Seahawks, albeit failing to prevent a relentless advance down the field. Kenneth Walker and Metcalf spearheaded the Seahawks’ offense with noteworthy performances in the first quarter.
However, the Lions retaliated swiftly, thanks to a brilliant 22-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Josh Reynolds, once again showcasing their synergy from week one against the Kansas City Chiefs. As the quarter concluded, the scoreboard displayed a tie at 7-7, setting the stage for an intense battle.
The roaring crowd at Ford Field had barely settled when the injury bug bit both teams early on. Lions safety Kerby Joseph exited with a troubling hip injury during the opening drive. The Seahawks were not spared either, with star player DK Metcalf leaving the field with rib injuries before their second drive. Both young stars were fortunate enough to escape serious injury and return to the game.
Second Quarter: Lions Unleash Their Fury
Entering the second quarter, the Lions’ defense tightened their grip, hindering the Seahawks’ offense with a forced punt and a missed field goal. Jared Goff showcased his accuracy, maneuvering the ball effortlessly across various Lions receivers. A remarkable flea flicker featuring Kalif Raymond ended with a 36-yard touchdown reception, propelling the Lions to a 14-7 lead.
Jared Goff continued to dazzle, completing 11-12 passes and amassing 141 yards and two touchdowns. The intensity escalated as the quarter neared its end, with the Lions maintaining their lead, courtesy of a missed 56-yard field goal attempt by the Seahawks’ Jason Myers.
Third Quarter: A Nail-Biting Duel
A slight misstep saw David Montgomery fumble, swiftly capitalized by the Seahawks with a touchdown, leveling the score at 14-14. Unfazed, the Lions maintained their offensive stance, with Montgomery redeeming himself with a gritty 4-yard touchdown run, nudging the Lions ahead at 21-14.
The defense held firm, limiting the Seahawks to a field goal, and preserving a narrow lead as the quarter drew to a close, the scoreboard reflecting a 21-17 score in favor of the Lions.
Fourth Quarter: High Stakes and Heartbreaks
A tantalizing fourth quarter witnessed the Seahawks reclaiming the lead through a touchdown by veteran Tyler Lockett. The injury bug struck the Lions again with Halapoulivaati Vaitai going down with a leg injury, and Goff’s unprecedented interception returned for a touchdown. Despite the setback, rookie Sam LaPorta ignited a resurgence, assisting in narrowing the gap to a 31-28 Seahawks lead.
A series of dramatic plays ensued, culminating in a critical 38-yard field goal by Riley Patterson, sending the game into a nail-biting overtime with a 31-31 deadlock.
Overtime: A Sad Roar
Amidst the thunderous roars from the home crowd, the Lions succumbed to the Seahawks in this one. They endured a gut-wrenching 37-31 defeat at home.
The Detroit Lions regroup for their upcoming clash against the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
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For more from our Detroit Lions beat writer, Matt Broder, check him out on Twitter here: @mattbro21
Contact: Broder@woodwardsports.com
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Original Photo Credit: © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK