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Jameson Williams, David Montgomery Thrill NFL Fans as Goff, Lions Beat Rams in OT

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 9, 2024

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 08: Jameson Williams #9 of the Detroit Lions celebrates his 52-yard touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the third quarter at Ford Field on September 08, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Detroit Lions started the season with a win. More importantly, they may have a burgeoning star in wideout Jameson Williams.

The speedster finished with five receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown in Detroit's 26-20 overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night.

NFL @NFL

Speed on display 💨<br><br>Goff finds Jameson Williams for 37 yards!<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LARvsDET?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LARvsDET</a> on NBC/Peacock<br>📱: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/8iGTrEHLaY">pic.twitter.com/8iGTrEHLaY</a>

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

JARED GOFF TO JAMESON WILLIAMS FOR THE 52-YARD TD 🔥😱<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFL</a>) <br> <a href="https://t.co/dlM2xQmnB0">pic.twitter.com/dlM2xQmnB0</a>

NFL @NFL

Jameson Williams have a night!<br><br>28 more yards.<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LARvsDET?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LARvsDET</a> on NBC/Peacock<br>📱: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/wtn046mI6R">pic.twitter.com/wtn046mI6R</a>

Coming into the season, it was unclear just how big of a role Williams might have in this offense, especially considering players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery were going to get their touches.

But it's fairly clear now that Williams is going to eat, and the Jared Goff-to-Williams connection earned rave reviews on social media:

Mike Clay @MikeClayNFL

Jameson Williams played 85% of the snaps and posted a 5-121-1 receiving line on nine targets.<br><br>Breakout game.

Mina Kimes @minakimes

What a night for Jameson Williams truthers. We never stopped believing <a href="https://twitter.com/greggrosenthal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@greggrosenthal</a>!

David Helman @davidhelman_

JAMO'S TIME IS HERE IT'S ALL HAPPENING

Lindsey Thiry @LindseyThiry

Jared Goff to Jameson Williams for a 52-yard touchdown. <br><br>Williams' start looks every bit like a player who will have the breakout season anticipated.

Nolan Bianchi @nolanbianchi

Jared Goff goes deep to Jameson Williams on third-and-3 from midfield for a 52-yard touchdown. What a night for the Jamo Believers

Dan Wetzel @DanWetzel

Jameson Williams has arrived

Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard

If <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lions?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lions</a> Jameson Williams is catching those this season ... this might be something.

Jake Ciely @allinkid

Jameson Williams breakout complete. I don't need 16 more games. It's here. Happened. We celebrate

Paula Pasche @paulapasche

Jared Goff pass to Jameson Williams for 52-yard TD. Who is faster than Jamo?

Dungeon Messi @tyschalter

"oh but the Lions don't have a true X receiver" <br><br>lol. lmao

Matt Bowen @MattBowen41

Jameson Williams gives the Lions more playmaking ability on the perimeter. Schemed vertical throws. Catch and run. Isolation routes.

And then there was David Montgomery.

The bruising back had another strong game, rushing 17 times for 91 yards and a touchdown. He was a monster in overtime, carrying the ball five times for 45 yards and the game-winning score.

NFL @NFL

David Montgomery runs it in for the <a href="https://twitter.com/Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Lions</a> win! <a href="https://t.co/iKUEHAvgMK">pic.twitter.com/iKUEHAvgMK</a>

He pounded a tired Rams defense, ending overtime after the first drive and impressing social media along the way:

Jason Kelce @JasonKelce

Wow, Detroit just ran the ball down their throat. Holy shit that was an impressive drive in overtime!! I'll be up for another 2 hours because of that, adrenaline is through the roof!

Josh Norris @JoshNorris

there's no better fit than David Montgomery and the Detroit Lions

Nicole Auerbach @NicoleAuerbach

David Montgomery is special, man.

Phil Martelli burner @blueman67234998

Co-MVPs Montgomery and Gibbs. Multiple gritty effort runs for extra yards. Huge games from those guys. Crucial runs from those guys.

Too Real J 💰 @chasinbagsjay

Montgomery big body his way in there for the Winning Overtime Touchdown 💪🏾<br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LARvsDET?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LARvsDET</a>

Jeff Nowak @Jeff_Nowak

At the risk of oversimplifying the game of football … why didn't the Lions just pound the ball with David Montgomery the entire 4th quarter?

Harold R. Kuntz @HaroldRKuntz3

Just being able to line up and run the football knowing your opponent can't stop it and win is beautiful to watch.

That was nothing new, of course. Montgomery has thrived in Detroit. But Williams was a revelation.

The 23-year-old was a first-round pick by the Lions in the 2022 NFL draft but was recovering from a torn ACL suffered in college and didn't make his debut until Week 13 that season.

He was then suspended for the first four games of the 2023 season for violating the NFL's gambling policy. He showed flashes of his upside, catching 24 passes for 354 yards and two scores last season in 12 games, but he wasn't a major part of the offense.

That appears to have changed this season, however, and it makes sense on a number of fronts. For one, Williams has dynamic speed, giving him the ability to stretch defenses vertically and make plays after the catch.

But the Lions also let Josh Reynolds walk in free agency, creating a void at the No. 2 receiver jam. And it would appear that Williams has seized that role.

St. Brown and Sam LaPorta will still likely be the top pass-catchers for Detroit, but Williams is going to be a playmaker this season. An already dangerous Lions offense looks all the more threatening now.