“He runs hard, he’s tough, he’s physical, he’s getting into a rhythm and I think he’s a catalyst for us,” Campbell said. “He’s starting to wear it and he’s getting better and better and I think the line feeds off him and he feeds off them and we get what we get. This guy is a stud, he’s a stud.”

Montgomery doesn’t always get his due when it comes to the best running backs in the league, but he’s perfect for Detroit’s offense. The duo of Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs keeps both players fresh and gives them a dynamic that’s like thunder and lightning. Montgomery was a 1,000-yard back with 13 rushing touchdowns last year.

“I was in the mood, though,” Montgomery said of the groove he felt in overtime. “I was in the groove at that point, where I felt like I had to prove myself, and I felt like this was the biggest opportunity to do that – for me to show what I can do, but at the same time show how much grit this offense and this team has.”

The Lions rushed for 163 yards in the game, averaging 5.3 yards and allowing two rushing touchdowns. The game started and ended with Montgomery.

“Yeah, man, he sets the tone,” quarterback Jared Goff said of Montgomery. “He’s a leader, he’s the guy we want to find when it’s all about the ball. Remember in the playoff game last year, we threw the ball to him, I think, at first or second base. So, man, he’s as valuable to our team as anybody.”