'I'm The Bad Guy!' Rams QB Matthew Stafford Preps For Return To Detroit in Playoffs

'I'm The Bad Guy!' Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford Preps For Return To Detroit Lions in NFL Playoffs

Sunday's wild card game between the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions will mark quarterback Matthew Stafford's first game in his former city since he was traded prior to the 2021 season.

Stafford is preparing to face a franchise where he spent the first 12 seasons of his career, and since this marks the first home playoff game in Detroit since 1993, odds are that the environment will be electric at Ford Field.

The quarterback's welcome may not be a warm one this weekend, but he's not worried about it in preparation for the Lions.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

“I’m not expecting anything, to be honest with you,” Stafford said. “I was asked this question a couple of times by friends and family. I think the biggest thing for me is just go experience whatever that experience is going to be. 

"I understand what the people of Detroit and what the city of Detroit meant to me and my time and my career, what they meant to my family. I hope they feel that back. But at the same time, I’m not a stranger to the situation and understand that I’m the bad guy coming to town."

It's understandable for Lions fans to have mixed emotions regarding Stafford's return. While he was productive in Detroit, the franchise never reached an elite status after his selection as the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

How Matthew Stafford vs. Jared Goff Matchup is Creating NFL History

"I’m on the other team," Stafford said. "They don’t want success for me. So whatever happens, happens. I’m going to go experience it, and play the game. Once the ball is snapped, man, let’s go. Two good football teams go compete and see what happens.”

Kickoff on Sunday between L.A. and Detroit is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT, and the game will be televised on NBC.