Rams vs. Lions Wild Card Playoffs Preview: NFL History Made

Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford is set to return to where his career began vs. the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football.

The Los Angeles Rams travel to face the NFC North division champion Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday night. The Wild Card matchup is highlighted by Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford's first game in his former city since he was traded prior to the 2021 season.

Stafford and Jared Goff were traded for each other just three years ago, and Stafford went on to win it all with the Rams.

It's the first time in NFL postseason history that the starting quarterbacks are both facing their former teams 

The history... Goff was the No. 1 overall pick in 2016 by the Rams and played five seasons in Los Angeles and registered one Super Bowl loss in 2018. Stafford was the No. 1 overall pick in 2009 and played under center for the Lions for 12 seasons.

Rams star Aaron Donald shared that he reached out to his former teammate Goff. 

Stafford vs. Goff

“We had a good relationship,” Donald said. “I reached out to him and told him I’m proud of him... what they’ve been accomplishing and what he’d been doing. I said, ‘I’ll see you Sunday night.’ He said, ‘Appreciate you, brother. I'll see you Sunday night.’ It's going to be fun.”

FUN FACT: Sunday marks the first-ever Wild Card game held at Ford Field and the first time the Lions have hosted a playoff game since January 8, 1994.

RECORDS:  Los Angeles Rams (10-7) at Detroit Lions (12-5)

ODDS: Los Angeles is a 3-point underdog vs. the Lions

GAME TIME: Sunday, January 14th, 2023 at 5 p.m. PT

LOCATION: Ford Field - Detroit, Michigan

TV/RADIO: NBC, 105.3 The Fan

THE FINAL WORD: Stafford on playing in Detroit, where he spent the first 12 seasons of his career:

"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."