Jared Goff Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jared Goff made NFL revenge history in Lions’ playoff victory over Rams

By Jeff Smith | Last updated 1/15/24

In the history of the NFL, there had never been a quarterback to win a playoff game against a team he previously started a postseason game for. Not once, not ever — at least until Sunday night. Jared Goff created his own history while leading the Detroit Lions to their first playoff victory since January 5, 1992, a victory over the Los Angeles Rams. In doing so, he also became the first player to ever accomplish this feat, and doing it against the team that traded him away makes the stat even more impressive.

Jared Goff is the first QB ever to win a playoff game against a team he previously started a playoff game for pic.twitter.com/RtO6e3UcGI
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 15, 2024

Goff was efficient and played an excellent game in the Lions' 24-23 victory over his former team, completing 22 of 27 passes for 277 yards and one touchdown. But while Goff and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford started off strong, leading to a 21-17 halftime lead for Detroit, the two defenses took center stage in the second half.

There were just nine total points scored in the third and fourth quarters, and the Lions defense stepped up big down the stretch when it mattered most. The Lions will now face the winner of the Eagles-Buccaneers game on Monday night with their sights set on a trip to the NFC Championship Game.

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