Handing out a game ball and unsung hero from the Detroit Lions overtime win over the Rams

Each week following Detroit Lions games I’ll be handing out my own game ball and acknowledging an unsung hero from their weekly battle. In Week 1 of the 2024 regular season, the Lions were victorious over the Los Angeles Rams, winning 26-20 in overtime.

Let’s take a look at a few players who deserve recognition.

Game Ball: Wide receiver Jameson Williams

It was all smiles post-game for the Lions’ ultra-competitive, charismatic, football-loving speed dynamo. A first-round pick the same year as Aidan Hutchinson, up to this point Williams has had a much-maligned professional career marred with turmoil.

A torn ACL. A suspension. Premature declarations of draft bust. And Rams defenders beaten on double moves. They’re all in the rearview mirror for the Lions’ well-liked enigmatic shooting comet nicknamed “Waymo.”

In Sunday night’s game, most of the other Lions playmakers were held in check by a well-executed game plan from new Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula and his young defense. Yet, Williams stepped up for a career night that included six touches for 134 total yards and one touchdown (and no drops).

Prior to the Lions’ 70-yard overtime touchdown drive, Williams accounted for 45% of the team’s total yards in regulation and four of their 15 first downs. Williams’ impressive 4.03 yards per route run was good for third among all wide receivers so far in Week 1 and his 24.2 yards per reception currently rank fifth. Williams also ranked top three among wide receivers this week in both yards after catch (65) and yards after catch per reception (13.0) and it’s quite apparent why after taking a look at his Next Gen Stats route chart.