It looked as if the offensive ineptitude that defined the first half was going to carry over to the second when both the Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams went three-and-out with their first possessions. But the floodgates suddenly opened during the third quarter.
The Lions finally got on the scoreboard with a seven-play, 65-yard touchdown drive. Wide receiver Golden Tate was responsible for 36 of those yards, including the final nine, coming free on a crossing route and hurdling into the end zone.
That knotted the game at seven, but the tie was short-lived. Behind a 49-yard romp by rookie running back Todd Gurley, the Rams needed just five plays to regain the lead.