After winning NBC's game ball, Jared Goff gave it to Jameson Williams

Jameson Williams had never received a game ball, not in college, high school or at any level of football. And after Williams' breakout game in the NFL in the Lions' season-opening win over the Rams, NBC's Sunday Night Football game ball went to ... Jared Goff.

Until Goff handed it to Williams on the field as the two of them prepared for an interview with NBC's Melissa Stark.

"That's him right there," Goff said of the Player of the Game award, nodding at Williams. "He played big today, it was huge."

Williams, grinning from ear to ear after his first 100-yard game in the NFL, held the ball in his hands and said, "I just came out focused and ready, man. I just wanted to get a win."

Williams made sure the Lions did, catching five passes for 121 yards and a touchdown with another 13 yards on the ground. His 52-yard touchdown in the third quarter gave Detroit a 17-3 lead and set Ford Field on fire in the team's eventual 26-20 overtime win.

Goff had a mediocre game by comparison, and by his own standards, going 18-of-28 for 217 yards, a touchdown and a pick.

Williams made sure to shout out David Montgomery in the interview for leading the Lions down the field in overtime and scoring the game-winning touchdown: "He got that for us, man. It ain't just me, it’s the whole team, it's everybody. Everybody contributed to this and we're just trying to go and get one next week."

Injuries and a suspension limited Williams to just 18 games and 25 catches in his first two seasons, but he's healthy and ready to break through in year three. The Lions have encouraged him along the way, including Goff and Dan Campbell. Williams said their support "means a lot because I’ve been through a lot."

"It was good to see Jamo have some explosives there, make some plays and he just keeps getting better," Campbell said Monday. "He definitely helped us win that game."

"Anytime you get the ball to him in space, it’s tough for the defense," Goff said Tuesday on 97.1 The Ticket. "And I know defenses are going to be watching that tape worried about him now."

"Just to have my QB and my head coach with me, that just gives me an extra boost of confidence," said Williams. "Next week we’re gonna go out and do even better than this."