The Detroit Lions found a way to win against the Los Angeles Rams on “Sunday Night Football” in a way completely asymmetrical to how they won against the Rams in the Wild Card round back in January. Some things remain the same—the Lions have a strong running game, their linebacking corps anchors the defense, and their safeties are ballhawks. Others are different—the Lions found interior pass rush, Amon-Ra St. Brown was invisible, and David Montgomery was RB1.
Across the league, there were some surprises as well. The Jets looked flat on offense despite the return of Aaron Rodgers, meanwhile the Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t miss a step following the departure of OC Dave Canales to fill the Panthers’ head coaching vacancy.