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NFL · Week 1 · September 9, 2012 · 12 min read

Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions: 2012 Week 1 Recap

Lions defeat Rams 27–23 in Week 1

B.Gibson led Fantasy Impact as Lions prevailed in a 23–27 Week 1 finish.

Los Angeles Rams 23 0–1
Final 23–27
Detroit Lions 27 1–0 Winner
Winner
Detroit Lions
Final score
23–27
Halftime
Los Angeles Rams 13–10 Detroit Lions
Top passer
Matthew Stafford
FantasyHQ MVP
B.Gibson
Game date
September 9, 2012

Top fantasy performers · Rams

  • B.Gibson 4 REC · 51 YDS · 1 TD +4.9 Fantasy Impact
  • D.Amendola 5 REC · 74 YDS +3.0 Fantasy Impact
  • L.Kendricks 2 REC · 16 YDS +1.5 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • N.Burleson 6 REC · 69 YDS +3.4 Fantasy Impact
  • Kobe Smith
    Kobe Smith 4 REC · 29 YDS · 1 TD +2.3 Fantasy Impact
  • W.Heller 2 REC · 19 YDS +1.9 Fantasy Impact
View Rams vs Lions box score View all 2012 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Detroit Lions
Final score
Detroit Lions 27–23 LA
Halftime
LA 13–10 Detroit Lions at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
B. Gibson
Top passer
Matthew Stafford
Biggest EPA play
(1:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERC…
Game date
2012-09-09

Game summary

The Detroit Lions beat the LA 27–23 on 2012-09-09, overcoming LA's 13–10 halftime lead. B. Gibson posted a game-high +4.90 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
LA310010023
Detroit Lions010314027

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

LALA
DETDetroit Lions

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

15 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. LALA
    Q1 2:02FG
    Greg Zuerlein

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 30
    Score
    3-0

    (2:02) 4-G.Zuerlein 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.

  2. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 9:46TD
    Jaheim Bell

    Points+6

    Yard line
    LA 1
    Score
    3-6

    (9:46) 35-J.Bell up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 9:26XP
    Jake Hanson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    LA 2
    Score
    3-7

    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.

  4. LALA
    Q2 2:39FG
    Greg Zuerlein

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 11
    Score
    6-7

    (2:39) 4-G.Zuerlein 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.

  5. LALA
    Q2 1:36TD
    CFC. Finnegan

    Points+6

    Yard line
    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, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DET-16-T.Young, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner was in bounds ruling, and the play was Upheld.

  6. LALA
    Q2 1:28XP
    Greg Zuerlein

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    13-7

    4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.

  7. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 0:25FG
    Jake Hanson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    LA 23
    Score
    13-10

    (:25) 4-J.Hanson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.

  8. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 9:34FG
    Jake Hanson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    LA 26
    Score
    13-13

    (9:34) 4-J.Hanson 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.

  9. LALA
    Q4 9:51TD
    BGB. Gibson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    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.

  10. LALA
    Q4 9:45XP
    Greg Zuerlein

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    20-13

    4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.

  11. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 7:24TD
    Kobe Smith

    Points+6

    Yard line
    LA 5
    Score
    20-19

    (7:24) (No Huddle) 30-K.Smith left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 7:19XP
    Jake Hanson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    LA 2
    Score
    20-20

    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.

  13. LALA
    Q4 2:00FG
    Greg Zuerlein

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 28
    Score
    23-20

    (2:00) 4-G.Zuerlein 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.

  14. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 0:15TD
    Kobe Smith

    Points+6

    Yard line
    LA 5
    Score
    23-26

    (:15) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 30-K.Smith for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  15. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 0:10XP
    Jake Hanson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    LA 2
    Score
    23-27

    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1B. Gibson · LA · Receiving · +4.90 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
  2. 2N. Burleson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.35 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
  3. 3D. Amendola · LA · Receiving · +2.96 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
  4. 4Kobe SmithKobe Smith · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.28 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
  5. 5W. Heller · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.85 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
  6. 6L. Kendricks · LA · Receiving · +1.51 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
  7. 7S. Bradford · LA · Passing · +1.44 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
  8. 8M. McNeill · LA · Receiving · +1.04 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

B. Gibson — LA · Receiving

B. Gibson posted the highest total EPA (+4.90) in the game, the strongest overall impact for LA. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +0.98 EPA per play.

B. Gibson's top snap (+3.11 EPA): (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.

Biggest single play (-8.04 EPA): Matthew Stafford — (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

Quarterback report card

Matthew Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Matthew StaffordMatthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 48 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +2.2% CPOE · -0.15 EPA/play · -7.24 total EPA
  • S. Bradford (LA) · 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.

StatLADetroit Lions
Offensive EPA/play-0.062-0.051
Offensive success rate40.0%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 rate46.4%60.0%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (LA -0.06, Detroit Lions -0.05) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • LA: -0.06 EPA/play (32nd percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)
  • Detroit Lions: -0.05 EPA/play (35th percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)
  • Detroit Lions: 11 drives, -4.25 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
  • LA: 12 drives, -4.63 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Jaheim BellDetroit Lions — Jaheim Bell (Q2 9:46)
  • LA — C. Finnegan (Q2 1:36)
  • LA — B. Gibson (S. Bradford pass) (Q4 9:51)
  • Kobe SmithDetroit Lions — Kobe Smith (Q4 7:24)
  • Kobe SmithDetroit Lions — Kobe Smith (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q4 0:15)

Field goals

  • Greg ZuerleinLA — Greg Zuerlein (Q1 2:02)
  • Greg ZuerleinLA — Greg Zuerlein (Q2 2:39)
  • Jake HansonDetroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q2 0:25)
  • Jake HansonDetroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q3 9:34)
  • Greg ZuerleinLA — Greg Zuerlein (Q4 2:00)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: LA won the period 3–0. LA connected on a field goal from the DET 30 (Q1 2:02) — (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 9:46) — (9:46) 35-J.Bell up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q2 9:26) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.; LA connected on a field goal from the DET 11 (Q2 2:39) — (2:39) 4-G.Zuerlein 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; LA found the end zone from the LA 77 (Q2 1:36); LA added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 1:28) — 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 0:25) — (: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 9:34) — (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. LA found the end zone from the DET 23 (Q4 9:51); LA 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.; LA 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.

  • Detroit Lions (Q4 0:15) — (:15) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 30-K.Smith for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +41.6% · EPA +2.49]
  • Detroit Lions (Q2 1:36) — (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 [WPA -28.8% · EPA -8.04]
  • Detroit Lions (Q2 7:17) — (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). [WPA -21.8% · EPA -7.67]
  • Detroit Lions (Q1 7:54) — (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). [WPA -21.7% · EPA -7.36]
  • LA (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. [WPA +20.4% · EPA +3.11]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Detroit Lions (Q2 1:36) — (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 [WPA -28.8% · EPA -8.04]
  • Detroit Lions (Q2 7:17) — (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). [WPA -21.8% · EPA -7.67]
  • Detroit Lions (Q1 7:54) — (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). [WPA -21.7% · EPA -7.36]
  • LA (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. [WPA +20.4% · EPA +3.11]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. LA FG (+3) — Q1 2:02 · DET 30 · Score 3-0
    (2:02) 4-G.Zuerlein 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
  2. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 9:46 · LA 1 · Score 3-6
    (9:46) 35-J.Bell up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 9:26 · LA 2 · Score 3-7
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.
  4. LA FG (+3) — Q2 2:39 · DET 11 · Score 6-7
    (2:39) 4-G.Zuerlein 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
  5. LA TD (+6) — Q2 1:36 · 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, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DET-16-T.Young, Unnecessar
  6. LA XP (+1) — Q2 1:28 · DET 2 · Score 13-7
    4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
  7. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 0:25 · LA 23 · Score 13-10
    (:25) 4-J.Hanson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.
  8. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 9:34 · LA 26 · Score 13-13
    (9:34) 4-J.Hanson 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.
  9. LA 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.
  10. LA 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. LA 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

  • Detroit Lions earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • B. Gibson (LA) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • S. Bradford (LA) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won LA vs Detroit Lions on 2012-09-09?

The Detroit Lions beat the LA 27-23 in Week 1, 2012.

What was the score by quarter in LA vs Detroit Lions?

Q1: LA 3, Detroit Lions 0; Q2: LA 10, Detroit Lions 10; Q3: LA 0, Detroit Lions 3; Q4: LA 10, Detroit Lions 14; Final: LA 23, Detroit Lions 27.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in LA vs Detroit Lions?

Detroit Lions touchdown — J. Bell (Q2 9:46) LA touchdown — C. Finnegan (Q2 1:36) LA 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) LA field goal — G. Zuerlein (Q1 2:02, 3 pts) LA field goal — G. Zuerlein (Q2 2:39, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q2 0:25, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q3 9:34, 3 pts) LA 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 LA vs Detroit Lions?

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions), 66.7% completion, +2.2% CPOE, -0.15 EPA per dropback, -7.24 total passing EPA. S. Bradford (LA), 54.8% completion, +5.9% CPOE, +0.05 EPA per dropback, +1.44 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in LA vs Detroit Lions?

B. Gibson (LA) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +4.90 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 5 snaps. Their top snap (+3.11 EPA): (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..

Was LA vs Detroit Lions a close game?

Yes — the margin was 4 points. Detroit Lions won 27-23 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Los Angeles Rams

Now 0-1 L

Detroit Lions

Now 1-0 W

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