Stafford Expects Ford Field Louder Than 2011 Against Bears

Matthew Stafford will make first return to Ford Field since trade.

Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is unsure of how he will react emotionally when he finally arrives and plays at Ford Field for the Wild Card round of the playoffs. 

It will mark the first time Stafford has returned to play in Detroit since he requested to be traded from the team that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. 

The 35-year-old recalled in a pre-taped interview with NBC one of the loudest moments in the history of Detroit's home stadium. 

"2011. Monday Night Football. Week 6 or 7. Early in the season. We were playing Chicago," Stafford said. "(Jay) Cutler was coming in and they were playing pretty good too. I think Cutler and the guys had like six false starts on offense, maybe seven. That thing was rocking. 

"I expect it to be something like that or probably a little bit more, to be honest with you," Stafford commented further, discussing what the atmosphere could be like at Ford Field in primetime and Sunday evening. "It'll be an awesome atmosphere. I'm excited for everybody to get to play in that game and go have some fun."

The Chiefs currently possess the record for the loudest decibel level reached by fans during an NFL game (142.2), set back in 2016 against the Patriots. 

In Week 2 of this season, fans set the current decibel record at Ford Field (127.5) against the Seahawks. 

Stafford indicated he is not entering the game expecting to feel any type of way, instead opting to just allow himself to naturally react to the emotions that bubble up prior to the start of the game. 

The Los Angeles Rams starting quarterback still has fond memories of playing in Motown, but understands his motivations now are to aid his team advance in the postseason.