The NFL regular season concluded on Sunday, and the opening round of the playoffs is now only a few days away.
For football fans, this is the greatest time of year, and the postseason gets underway this weekend with a ton of exciting games. All of these games are ones you won’t want to miss, but the one in Detroit, Michigan, may be the most interesting of the weekend. The Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions are playing in the first round of the playoffs at Ford Field, and there are some amazing storylines surrounding this game. You have to watch this game on television.
Let us begin by addressing the obvious. The quarterback for whom he was traded, Matthew Stafford, is returning to Detroit to face Jared Goff. After being selected out of Georgia, Stafford began his career with the Lions, and the whole city adored him. Even though Stafford enjoyed a few postseason trips with the Lions, the group was never able to overcome the obstacle and win a division or the playoffs. Stafford wanted to go somewhere where he could win a championship; he wasn’t at all the problem. At that point, the Rams trade took place.
Matthew Stafford played for the Lions, and Jared Goff for the Rams. After the trade was made, Stafford was able to join the Rams and immediately receive his Super Bowl ring. Although the trade appeared to be a major victory for the Rams, Goff and the Lions have been formidable since LA’s Super Bowl triumph, and this season they have finally ended their division title drought. For the first time in thirty years, the NFC North champion Lions are hosting a postseason game. Stafford and the Rams are the team making the trip to town, which makes perfect sense. This will be a motion picture.
The Rams, who are currently 10-7 on the season, are the #6 seed in the NFC going into this game. Though their return to the postseason was a grind, this team has recovered well from a disappointing campaign in the previous year.
Detroit, on the other hand, won their division and enters this game as the #3 seed in the NFC. With a 12-5 record, the Lions are tied for the best record in the NFC. Had they not missed an incredibly bad call against the Dallas Cowboys, they would have been the number one seed. In any case, both of these teams had successful seasons, and this one will be exciting. Here are three predictions for the game.
Matthew Stafford will throw two touchdown passes
Returning to Detroit to face Jared Goff and the Lions is Matthew Stafford. Both of these quarterbacks should have strong performances. With everything on the line, I anticipate a fantastic duel between the two of them. They will both be as hungry as ever. Stafford has always been an excellent passer, and he will occasionally find his receivers in the end zone. To stop Stafford, the Lions secondary will need to play well, and even though I think they’ll play well, Stafford will still make some plays.
Matthew Stafford has a 250+ yard passing game.
Stafford should finish the game with 250–300 yards passing, so I’m not expecting him to have a huge game. The Lions’ secondary has struggled at times this season, but they are now healthier and ought to be playing their best football. Even so, it will be very challenging to stop Stafford and the Rams’ offensive line. There will be some huge plays from him.
The Rams are going to lose by a field goal
This will be an amazing game. In my opinion, the game will be close and back-and-forth, with the Lions emerging victorious. Either way, for Lions supporters who have seen it all, this will be the most fulfilling win of their lives, or it will be the pinnacle of heartbreak. For the first time in thirty years, you’re hosting a home playoff game against your former quarterback. The Lions need to be equipped. Though I think they’ll win by a narrow margin, the Rams will play tough.