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NFL · Wild Card · January 14, 2024 · 12 min read

Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions: 2023 Wild Card Recap

Lions defeat Rams 24–23 in Wild Card

Matthew Stafford led Fantasy Impact as Lions prevailed in a 23–24 Wild Card finish.

Los Angeles Rams 23 10–8
Final 23–24
Detroit Lions 24 13–5 Winner
Winner
Detroit Lions
Final score
23–24
Halftime
Los Angeles Rams 17–21 Detroit Lions
Top passer
Matthew Stafford
FantasyHQ MVP
Matthew Stafford
Game date
January 14, 2024

Top fantasy performers · Rams

  • Matthew Stafford
    Matthew Stafford 25/41 · 357 YDS · 2 TD +18.4 Fantasy Impact
  • Puka Nacua
    Puka Nacua 9 REC · 181 YDS · 1 TD +14.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Tutu Atwell
    Tutu Atwell 1 REC · 38 YDS · 1 TD +3.6 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • Jared Goff
    Jared Goff 22/30 · 255 YDS · 1 TD +11.2 Fantasy Impact
  • A.St.Brown +6.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Josh Reynolds
    Josh Reynolds 5 REC · 80 YDS +3.6 Fantasy Impact
View Rams vs Lions box score View all 2023 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Detroit Lions
Final score
Detroit Lions 24–23 LA
Halftime
LA 17–21 Detroit Lions at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Matthew Stafford
Top passer
Matthew Stafford
Biggest EPA play
(13:32) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 17-P.Nacua for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2024-01-14

Game summary

The Detroit Lions beat the LA 24–23 on 2024-01-14. Matthew Stafford posted a game-high +18.35 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
LA31433023
Detroit Lions14730024

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

14 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 9:33TD
    D.J. Montgomery

    Points+6

    Yard line
    LA 1
    Score
    0-6

    (9:33) 5-D.Montgomery up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 9:30XP
    Michael Badgley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    LA 15
    Score
    0-7

    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  3. LALA
    Q1 4:29FG
    Brett Maher

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 6
    Score
    3-7

    (4:29) 8-B.Maher 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-42-E.Evans.

  4. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 1:35TD
    Jahmyr Gibbs

    Points+6

    Yard line
    LA 10
    Score
    3-13

    (1:35) (Shotgun) 26-J.Gibbs up the middle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  5. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 1:31XP
    Michael Badgley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    LA 15
    Score
    3-14

    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  6. LALA
    Q2 13:32TD
    Puka Nacua

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 50
    Score
    9-14

    (13:32) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 17-P.Nacua for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. LALA
    Q2 13:24XP
    Brett Maher

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 15
    Score
    10-14

    8-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-42-E.Evans.

  8. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 7:16TD
    Sam LaPorta

    Points+6

    Yard line
    LA 2
    Score
    10-20

    (7:16) (Shotgun) 70-D.Skipper reported in as eligible. 16-J.Goff pass short right to 87-S.LaPorta for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 7:12XP
    Michael Badgley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    LA 15
    Score
    10-21

    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  10. LALA
    Q2 4:11TD
    Tutu Atwell

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 38
    Score
    16-21

    (4:11) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 5-T.Atwell for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. LALA
    Q2 4:02XP
    Brett Maher

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 15
    Score
    17-21

    8-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-42-E.Evans.

  12. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 8:45FG
    Michael Badgley

    Points+3

    Yard line
    LA 36
    Score
    17-24

    (8:45) 17-M.Badgley 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  13. LALA
    Q3 2:36FG
    Brett Maher

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 9
    Score
    20-24

    (2:36) 8-B.Maher 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-42-E.Evans.

  14. LALA
    Q4 8:13FG
    Brett Maher

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 11
    Score
    23-24

    (8:13) 8-B.Maher 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-42-E.Evans.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Matthew StaffordMatthew Stafford · LA · Passing · +18.35 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
  2. 2Puka NacuaPuka Nacua · LA · Receiving · +14.61 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.46 EPA/play
  3. 3Jared GoffJared Goff · Detroit Lions · Passing · +11.22 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
  4. 4A. St.Brown · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +6.64 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
  5. 5Josh ReynoldsJosh Reynolds · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.64 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
  6. 6Tutu AtwellTutu Atwell · LA · Receiving · +3.59 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.59 EPA/play
  7. 7Sam LaPortaSam LaPorta · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.35 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
  8. 8Davis AllenDavis Allen · LA · Receiving · +2.19 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

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

Matthew Stafford

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Matthew Stafford — LA · Passing

Matthew Stafford posted the highest total EPA (+18.35) in the game, the strongest overall impact for LA. Across 41 counted snaps, they averaged +0.45 EPA per play.

Matthew Stafford's top snap (+4.76 EPA): (13:32) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 17-P.Nacua for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

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

  • Matthew StaffordMatthew Stafford (LA) · 41 dropbacks · 61.0% completion · +6.9% CPOE · +0.45 EPA/play · +18.35 total EPA
  • Jared GoffJared Goff (Detroit Lions) · 30 dropbacks · 73.3% completion · +10.8% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +11.22 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatLADetroit Lions
Offensive EPA/play+0.212+0.165
Offensive success rate46.5%45.8%
Pass EPA/play+0.448+0.374
Rush EPA/play-0.158-0.096
Defensive EPA/play-0.165-0.212
Defensive success rate54.2%53.5%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (LA +0.21, Detroit Lions +0.17) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • LA: +0.21 EPA/play (95th percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)
  • Detroit Lions: +0.17 EPA/play (90th percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)
  • Detroit Lions: 8 drives, +11.86 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • LA: 8 drives, +15.07 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • D.J. MontgomeryDetroit Lions — D.J. Montgomery (Q1 9:33)
  • Jahmyr GibbsDetroit Lions — Jahmyr Gibbs (Q1 1:35)
  • Puka NacuaLA — Puka Nacua (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q2 13:32)
  • Sam LaPortaDetroit Lions — Sam LaPorta (Jared Goff pass) (Q2 7:16)
  • Tutu AtwellLA — Tutu Atwell (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q2 4:11)

Field goals

  • Brett MaherLA — Brett Maher (Q1 4:29)
  • Michael BadgleyDetroit Lions — Michael Badgley (Q3 8:45)
  • Brett MaherLA — Brett Maher (Q3 2:36)
  • Brett MaherLA — Brett Maher (Q4 8:13)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–3. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the LA 1 (Q1 9:33) — (9:33) 5-D.Montgomery up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q1 9:30) — 17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; LA connected on a field goal from the DET 6 (Q1 4:29) — (4:29) 8-B.Maher 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-42-E.Evans.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the LA 10 (Q1 1:35) — (1:35) (Shotgun) 26-J.Gibbs up the middle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q1 1:31) — 17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox..

The second quarter: LA won the period 14–7. LA found the end zone from the DET 50 (Q2 13:32) — (13:32) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 17-P.Nacua for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; LA added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 13:24) — 8-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-42-E.Evans.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the LA 2 (Q2 7:16) — (7:16) (Shotgun) 70-D.Skipper reported in as eligible. 16-J.Goff pass short right to 87-S.LaPorta for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 7:12) — 17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; LA found the end zone from the DET 38 (Q2 4:11) — (4:11) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 5-T.Atwell for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; LA added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 4:02) — 8-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-42-E.Evans..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the LA 36 (Q3 8:45) — (8:45) 17-M.Badgley 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; LA connected on a field goal from the DET 9 (Q3 2:36) — (2:36) 8-B.Maher 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-42-E.Evans..

The fourth quarter: LA won the period 3–0. LA connected on a field goal from the DET 11 (Q4 8:13) — (8:13) 8-B.Maher 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-42-E.Evans..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • LA (Q2 13:32) — (13:32) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 17-P.Nacua for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.1% · EPA +4.76]
  • LA (Q4 6:36) — (6:36) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 17-P.Nacua pushed ob at LA 45 for 35 yards (6-I.Melifonwu). [WPA +11.5% · EPA +2.76]
  • LA (Q4 4:15) — (4:15) 42-E.Evans punts 31 yards to DET 13, Center-46-C.Tinker. 19-D.Peoples-Jones pushed ob at DET 17 for 4 yards (26-D.Shelley). [WPA -11.3% · EPA -0.66]
  • LA (Q2 4:11) — (4:11) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 5-T.Atwell for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.9% · EPA +3.59]
  • LA (Q4 4:24) — (4:24) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete short right to 20-R.Rivers. PENALTY on LA-79-R.Havenstein, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at DET 34 - No Play. [WPA -10.4% · EPA -1.43]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • LA (Q2 13:32) — (13:32) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 17-P.Nacua for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.1% · EPA +4.76]
  • LA (Q2 4:11) — (4:11) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 5-T.Atwell for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.9% · EPA +3.59]
  • LA (Q1 0:05) — (:05) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-D.Robinson to LA 41 for 19 yards (29-K.Vildor) [54-A.McNeill]. [WPA +5.5% · EPA +3.12]
  • Detroit Lions (Q3 12:39) — (12:39) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 14-A.St. Brown to LA 46 for 30 yards (43-J.Johnson). [WPA +7.2% · EPA +3.11]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 9:33 · LA 1 · Score 0-6
    (9:33) 5-D.Montgomery up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 9:30 · LA 15 · Score 0-7
    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  3. LA FG (+3) — Q1 4:29 · DET 6 · Score 3-7
    (4:29) 8-B.Maher 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-42-E.Evans.
  4. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 1:35 · LA 10 · Score 3-13
    (1:35) (Shotgun) 26-J.Gibbs up the middle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  5. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 1:31 · LA 15 · Score 3-14
    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  6. LA TD (+6) — Q2 13:32 · DET 50 · Score 9-14
    (13:32) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 17-P.Nacua for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. LA XP (+1) — Q2 13:24 · DET 15 · Score 10-14
    8-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-42-E.Evans.
  8. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 7:16 · LA 2 · Score 10-20
    (7:16) (Shotgun) 70-D.Skipper reported in as eligible. 16-J.Goff pass short right to 87-S.LaPorta for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 7:12 · LA 15 · Score 10-21
    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  10. LA TD (+6) — Q2 4:11 · DET 38 · Score 16-21
    (4:11) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 5-T.Atwell for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. LA XP (+1) — Q2 4:02 · DET 15 · Score 17-21
    8-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-42-E.Evans.
  12. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 8:45 · LA 36 · Score 17-24
    (8:45) 17-M.Badgley 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  13. LA FG (+3) — Q3 2:36 · DET 9 · Score 20-24
    (2:36) 8-B.Maher 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-42-E.Evans.
  14. LA FG (+3) — Q4 8:13 · DET 11 · Score 23-24
    (8:13) 8-B.Maher 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-42-E.Evans.

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.
  • Matthew Stafford (LA) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Matthew Stafford (LA) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won LA vs Detroit Lions on 2024-01-14?

The Detroit Lions beat the LA 24-23 in Wild Card, 2023.

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

Q1: LA 3, Detroit Lions 14; Q2: LA 14, Detroit Lions 7; Q3: LA 3, Detroit Lions 3; Q4: LA 3, Detroit Lions 0; Final: LA 23, Detroit Lions 24.

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

Detroit Lions touchdown — D. Montgomery (Q1 9:33) Detroit Lions touchdown — J. Gibbs (Q1 1:35) LA touchdown — P. Nacua (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 13:32) Detroit Lions touchdown — S. LaPorta (J. Goff pass) (Q2 7:16) LA touchdown — T. Atwell (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 4:11) LA field goal — B. Maher (Q1 4:29, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Badgley (Q3 8:45, 3 pts) LA field goal — B. Maher (Q3 2:36, 3 pts) LA field goal — B. Maher (Q4 8:13, 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 (LA), 61.0% completion, +6.9% CPOE, +0.45 EPA per dropback, +18.35 total passing EPA. Jared Goff (Detroit Lions), 73.3% completion, +10.8% CPOE, +0.37 EPA per dropback, +11.22 total passing EPA.

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

Matthew Stafford (LA) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +18.35 total EPA on Passing plays. across 41 snaps. Their top snap (+4.76 EPA): (13:32) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 17-P.Nacua for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was LA vs Detroit Lions a close game?

Yes — the margin was 1 points. Detroit Lions won 24-23 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Los Angeles Rams

Entered 10-7 Now 10-8 L

Detroit Lions

Entered 12-5 Now 13-5 W

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