Game story
In Week 1 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-09-09, the Detroit Lions took care of business against the Los Angeles Rams, pulling away with a 27–23 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with -7.24 total EPA, and +2.2% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, B. Gibson (Los Angeles Rams) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.90 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+41.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (:15) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 30-K.Smith for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 3 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 23 |
| Detroit Lions | 0 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 27 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Gibson · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +4.90 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
- 2 N. Burleson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.35 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 3 D. Amendola · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +2.96 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
- 4 K. Smith · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.28 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
- 5 W. Heller · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.85 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
- 6 L. Kendricks · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +1.51 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
- 7 S. Bradford · Los Angeles Rams · Passing · +1.44 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
- 8 M. McNeill · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +1.04 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Gibson — LA · Receiving
B. Gibson posted the highest total EPA (+4.90) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Rams's efficiency. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +0.98 EPA per play.
The signature play (-8.04 EPA) came from Detroit Lions: (1:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 31-C.Finnegan at DET 31. 31-C.Finnegan for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DET-16-T.Young, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yard
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Detroit Lions — J. Bell
- Los Angeles Rams — C. Finnegan
- Los Angeles Rams — B. Gibson (S. Bradford pass)
- Detroit Lions — K. Smith
- Detroit Lions — K. Smith (M. Stafford pass)
Field goals
- Los Angeles Rams — G. Zuerlein
- Los Angeles Rams — G. Zuerlein
- Detroit Lions — J. Hanson
- Detroit Lions — J. Hanson
- Los Angeles Rams — G. Zuerlein
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 3–0. Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the DET 30 (Q1 47:02) — (2:02) 4-G.Zuerlein 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the LA 1 (Q2 39:46) — (9:46) 35-J.Bell up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q2 39:26) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the DET 11 (Q2 32:39) — (2:39) 4-G.Zuerlein 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the LA 77 (Q2 31:36); Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 31:28) — 4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the LA 23 (Q2 30:25) — (:25) 4-J.Hanson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham..
The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 3–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the LA 26 (Q3 24:34) — (9:34) 4-J.Hanson 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham..
The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–10. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the DET 23 (Q4 9:51); Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 9:45) — 4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the LA 5 (Q4 7:24) — (7:24) (No Huddle) 30-K.Smith left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q4 7:19) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the DET 28 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 4-G.Zuerlein 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the LA 5 (Q4 0:15) — (:15) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 30-K.Smith for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q4 0:10) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Detroit Lions (Q4 0:15) — (:15) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 30-K.Smith for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Detroit Lions (Q2 31:36) — (1:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 31-C.Finnegan at DET 31. 31-C.Finnegan for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DET-16-T.Young, Unnecessar
- Detroit Lions (Q2 37:17) — (7:17) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 87-B.Pettigrew INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Dunbar at LA 14. 58-J.Dunbar to DET 44 for 42 yards (30-K.Smith).
- Detroit Lions (Q1 52:54) — (7:54) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 85-T.Scheffler INTERCEPTED by 21-J.Jenkins at LA 0. 21-J.Jenkins to LA 34 for 34 yards (30-K.Smith).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 9:51) — (9:51) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass deep left to 11-B.Gibson for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. LA-76-R.Saffold was injured during the play. He is Out.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Detroit Lions (Q2 31:36) — (1:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 31-C.Finnegan at DET 31. 31-C.Finnegan for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DET-16-T.Young, Unnecessar
- Detroit Lions (Q2 37:17) — (7:17) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 87-B.Pettigrew INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Dunbar at LA 14. 58-J.Dunbar to DET 44 for 42 yards (30-K.Smith).
- Detroit Lions (Q1 52:54) — (7:54) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 85-T.Scheffler INTERCEPTED by 21-J.Jenkins at LA 0. 21-J.Jenkins to LA 34 for 34 yards (30-K.Smith).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 9:51) — (9:51) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass deep left to 11-B.Gibson for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. LA-76-R.Saffold was injured during the play. He is Out.
Quarterback report card
M.Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 48 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +2.2% CPOE · -0.15 EPA/play · -7.24 total EPA
- S.Bradford (Los Angeles Rams) · 31 dropbacks · 54.8% completion · +5.9% CPOE · +0.05 EPA/play · +1.44 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Rams | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.062 | -0.051 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.0% | 53.6% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.046 | -0.151 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.217 | +0.092 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.051 | +0.062 |
| Defensive success rate | 46.4% | 60.0% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Los Angeles Rams -0.06, Detroit Lions -0.05) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Detroit Lions: 11 drives, -4.25 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Rams: 12 drives, -4.63 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Detroit Lions leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- B. Gibson (Los Angeles Rams) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- S. Bradford (LA) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q1 47:02 · DET 30 · Score 3-0
(2:02) 4-G.Zuerlein 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 39:46 · LA 1 · Score 3-6
(9:46) 35-J.Bell up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 39:26 · LA 2 · Score 3-7
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 32:39 · DET 11 · Score 6-7
(2:39) 4-G.Zuerlein 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 31:36 · LA 77 · Score 12-7
(1:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 31-C.Finnegan at DET 31. 31-C.Finnegan for 31 yards, TOUCHDOW - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 31:28 · DET 2 · Score 13-7
4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 30:25 · LA 23 · Score 13-10
(:25) 4-J.Hanson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 24:34 · LA 26 · Score 13-13
(9:34) 4-J.Hanson 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q4 9:51 · DET 23 · Score 19-13
(9:51) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass deep left to 11-B.Gibson for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. LA-76-R.Saffold was injured during the play. He is Out. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q4 9:45 · DET 2 · Score 20-13
4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 7:24 · LA 5 · Score 20-19
(7:24) (No Huddle) 30-K.Smith left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 7:19 · LA 2 · Score 20-20
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q4 2:00 · DET 28 · Score 23-20
(2:00) 4-G.Zuerlein 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 0:15 · LA 5 · Score 23-26
(:15) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 30-K.Smith for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 0:10 · LA 2 · Score 23-27
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions?
The Detroit Lions beat the Los Angeles Rams 27-23 in Week 1, 2012 on 2012-09-09.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions?
The final score was Los Angeles Rams 23, Detroit Lions 27 (LA 23-27 DET) in Week 1, 2012 on 2012-09-09.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions?
Q1: Los Angeles Rams 3, Detroit Lions 0; Q2: Los Angeles Rams 10, Detroit Lions 10; Q3: Los Angeles Rams 0, Detroit Lions 3; Q4: Los Angeles Rams 10, Detroit Lions 14; Final: Los Angeles Rams 23, Detroit Lions 27.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions?
Detroit Lions touchdown — J. Bell (Q2 39:46) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — C. Finnegan (Q2 31:36) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — B. Gibson (S. Bradford pass) (Q4 9:51) Detroit Lions touchdown — K. Smith (Q4 7:24) Detroit Lions touchdown — K. Smith (M. Stafford pass) (Q4 0:15) Los Angeles Rams field goal — G. Zuerlein (Q1 47:02, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — G. Zuerlein (Q2 32:39, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q2 30:25, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q3 24:34, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — G. Zuerlein (Q4 2:00, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions?
M. Stafford (Detroit Lions), 66.7% completion, +2.2% CPOE, -0.15 EPA per dropback, -7.24 total passing EPA. S. Bradford (Los Angeles Rams), 54.8% completion, +5.9% CPOE, +0.05 EPA per dropback, +1.44 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions?
B. Gibson (Los Angeles Rams) led the game in total EPA with +4.90 on receiving plays. across 5 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-8.04 EPA): (1:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 31-C.Finnegan at DET 31. 31-C.Finnegan for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DET-16. The biggest win-probability swing was +41.6%.
Was Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions a close game?
Yes — the margin was 4 points. Detroit Lions won 27-23 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Rams
Now 0-1 L
Detroit Lions
Now 1-0 W
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