The Detroit Lions were right about Jameson Williams' breakthrough potential

Free Press columnist Carlos Monarrez addresses the tough questions following the Detroit Lions’ 26-20 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night at Ford Field.

How big was this victory?

I’d like to say huge, considering all the pure emotion that flowed through Ford Field. But honestly, it felt more like the Lions survived after blowing a double-digit lead (for the second game in a row) and letting the undermanned Rams back in the game. Of course, season openers can be crazy affairs that ultimately don’t tell us much. Right, the 2023 Kansas City Chiefs? This was always going to be a tough draw for the Lions, because as the old saying goes: It’s hard to beat a team twice — is so often quoted. And that’s exactly what this game was: a rematch between two teams that had essentially only played each other. The Lions ultimately won this game with their running game and secured the victory with David Montgomery’s dogged running game in overtime. Expect both teams to make the playoffs and, with any luck, face each other in another rematch in January.

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Is this the year Jameson Williams will have his breakthrough?

Before the game, a group of sportswriters discussed Williams’ potential this season. Well, judging by his performance Sunday, it looks likely he’ll take off. After a first season of injuries and a second season with a suspension, Williams had a drama-free offseason and picked up right where he left off in the NFC title game, when he was dangerous as a pass receiver and runner and scored two touchdowns. Williams caught five balls for 121 yards, including a touchdown on a 52-yard scoop, thanks to Big Brain Ben Johnson’s bold third-down call and Jared Goff’s perfect long pass down the sideline. Against the Rams, Williams matched his speed with schematic intelligence and kept LA consistently burning from the outside.

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What do you think of the Lions’ defense?

Aaron Glenn’s unit blocked the run for most of the game and pressured Matthew Stafford all game long. Levi Onwuzurike had a sack, Kerby Joseph made a monster interception with a terrific catch in the end zone to thwart a Rams charge in the first half. And Aidan Hutchinson should have been sizing up the Rams’ offensive backfield at the last minute, as he practically lived there all game. But we must remember that the Rams were severely shorthanded. They were reliant on their third left tackle after Joe Noteboom left the game in the second quarter. More importantly, the Rams lost Pro Bowl receiver Puka Nacua early in the third quarter. Rookie Terrion Arnold had his ups and downs and, as he predicted, was picked on by Stafford. In total, the defense allowed nearly 400 yards of rushing space – but to an offense led by a brilliant, Super Bowl-winning playmaker (Sean McVay) and a motivated, potential Hall of Fame quarterback in Stafford.

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Contact Carlos Monarrez: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.