[Applause] has played out today lowest in the NFL history 22% returns this week including Thursday and Friday a third of the kicks have been returned and the average Drive starts five yards better than it was under the previous rules Lions have an NFL debut first year kicker Jake bat set to kick it off former Michigan Wolverine Blake porum and rookie Jordan Winnington back for La Wild Card match up last year won by Detroit by one two teams with playoff aspirations begin 2024 it starts with the Touchback Rams will get it at the 30 and that means Matthew Stafford comes back to Ford [Applause] Field and they byon Williams the running back Stafford scanning right away comes to Williams immediately by Alex and zalone loss of a yard whoa you want to make a statement and a second and 11 puka AA in motion Stafford again looking floats it up downfield it's incomplete as he was trying to get it to Demarcus Robinson it'll bring up third and 11 so the Matthew Stafford numbers from last year were as usual Matthew for the Jets number one pick 2009 Stafford spent a Dozen Years here is the Lions alltime leading passer in every category that matters third and 11 out quick cup anzelone again emphatic three and out from the Detroit defense Alex an alone has become the lead defense khif Raymond back to receive the Ethan Evans punt second year out of wind gate the Lions rush in some players from The Edge to add to the rush Evans has to get it away quickly it's a nice kick 48 yds from the 25 Raymond made a man miss and his return about 10 marked up at the 35 yd line as the Lions will take over there and the former number one for the Rams man whose name has been chanted around the state all year in 2024 Jared gof takes the field even the fans though to calm it down wait he's got to call the plays calm down out here what a remarkable Story the guy who was sort of the throwin on the trade has become a hero here in Detroit the in staff traed for each other in 2021 first run David Montgomery for two here is the Detroit offense jar go they were top five in both points and yards Montgomery in motion G throws underneath amond Ross St Brown good tackle by Christian roseboom who's going to be an important player for this Rams team this year third and about four coming up with g at quarterback three in Detroit it's third and four that's Jameson Williams some of that draft Capital it was acquired with the golf trade we go here we go bottom of your screen and in motion and go in trouble he'll go down good pressure inside Byron young who was busy last year with eight sacks as a rookie gets to G to stop this opening drive well there's the combo play lad over there by Jones to have that start Jack Fox excellent punter for Detroit second highest paid average per year tyen Williams is starting running back to the returner and he goes way back this goes all the way back there's a flag down as the ball goes into the end zone for a Touchback Adrien Hill is our referee and the preliminary indication is on Los [Applause] Angeles during the kick holding against the return team number 56 that penalty is of course half the distance to the goal from the Touchback spot first down Los Angeles timeout Christian Rose boomed the penalty the in the streets right around for field What A Catch by Stafford and that snap and he almost threw a pick but it was caught by Cooper cup gain of five to the 15 in front of Brian Branch yeah it's going to be really interesting to see this year if Cooper cup can come back to what he was because if he does and pukaa plays anywhere close to what he did a season ago they'll have that one two punch inside throw there is cup again through a Miss tackle and first down for cup out two the 26 yd line man who in 2021 won the Triple Crown the offensive player of the year but the league in the last two years combined to give you some idea of how unbelievable that one season was after the game's first first down Stafford back to the air and will swing it out complete new addition to this team Kobe Parkinson the tight end formerly of the Seahawks with a pick up of about eight and really a great job so far by Matthew Stafford trying to get this offense going and getting the ball out of his hands very quickly remember they're playing tonight with two new tackles Joe Noteboom playing the left tackle Warren McLendon playing the right tackle injury and suspension the reason for that give him the full 10 there so it is a first down at the 36 yd line good rhythm going quick throwing inside and that pass is caught to the 45 yd line by cup a pick up of eight Chris go back to that first snap of this drive from their own tip Stafford rolling on this drive all in the air now they turn and give it it's Ken Williams picking a hole getting outside get the first down where he's tackled by Carlton Davis of the lions at the 46 yd line we'll see if they'll move the chains or mark on with 1144 yards yeah averaged 95 rushing yards a game and keep in mind that he missed five games and still finished third in rushing to give you some idea of how good he was last year three first downs on this drive and time once again to get it out to NCA through a tackle and angelone has to push it good catch and run and that's something hooka nkua does as well as anyone hook and AA does Brian branch has missed a couple of tackles on this drive Lions have him in a safety position now second year man Alabama had a great rookie season great drive going for the Rams Stafford doing it in the air gets it out quick again C throwing out of Bounds at the 34 yd line let's introduce to the Los Angeles offense Matthew Stafford P CRA Kevin doson Louisiana War play 11 pass attempt number 10 thrown just short an incomplete Tred to get it that time to Demarcus Robinson but that time the Lions brought the heat maai Wingo rookie sixth round pick out of LSU got there this comes on a free row watch across the field there are people open there and it was a now to play Man coverage is what's either going to make or break this defense this year some new additions