For quarterback Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams, it’s “homecoming weekend”. On Sunday, he will make his way back to Detroit to play the Lions in the first-ever primetime playoff match at Ford Field.
There was a lot of conjecture as the regular season came to an end over the Lions’ first-round playoff matchup against Stafford and Los Angeles. The former Detroit franchise quarterback stayed committed to leading his club into the postseason despite all of the chatter that was going around on social media, radio, and television.
“I was locked in on trying to do what I had to do to kind of help us get to where we wanted to be. Like you said, when we did clinch, there was a lot up in the air, both what we could control and what we couldn’t control,” Stafford told reporters Wednesday. “So, there’s no reason to let your mind go there. Treat it like every other week. Right. And you figure out who your opponent is going to be, and then you go prepare and try to play as good as you possibly can to help your team win.”
After spending his first 12 seasons as a player in Detroit, Stafford swiftly won over the city’s supporters. He doesn’t, however, have high hopes for the Ford Field crowd’s reception as he gets ready for his first game there since being traded to the Rams in 2021.
“I’m not expecting anything, to be honest with you. I was asked this question a couple of times, just by friends and family. And 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 in my time there, and my career, what they meant to my family,” said Stafford. “I hope they feel that back.
“But at the same time, I’m not a stranger to the situation and understanding that I’m the bad guy coming to town,” Stafford commented further. “I’m on the other team and they don’t want success for me. So, whatever happens, happens. I’m going to go experience it. Play the game once the ball is snapped man. Let’s go. Let’s go. Two good football teams. Go compete and see what happens.”
What significance does the playoff match have for Detroit?
Stafford is aware of how important it is for the Lions to have the chance to play a playoff game in front of their home crowd.
For more than ten years, the previous No. 1 overall choice failed to produce a winner for the company.
“It’s an amazing City. It’s an amazing group of fans. The organization does a heck of a job and I know that they’re going to be excited. I mean, it’s going to be a great atmosphere, probably one of the best we’ve played in in a long time,” said Stafford. “It’s a group of people that, from my experience, love the Lions. Wanted what was best for them.”
The Rams are aware of the environment that will exist at a stadium that presents a formidable obstacle for visiting teams.
“They’re playing really good football. They had the opportunity to host a playoff game. They’ve earned that opportunity. It’s going to be a cool experience for those people,” said Stafford. “And really everybody involved in the game, it’ll be a tough place to play. It’ll be loud. It’ll be really tough for us to communicate as an offense. And we understand that, but those are the kind of fun experiences you want as a player in the NFL. And I’m sure Sunday will be that way.”
Supporters wanted Ford Field to prohibit Stafford jerseys.
Fans have been debating how much allegiance to the former starting quarterback is appropriate for the whole week.
Local Detroit bars are making it known that patrons wearing Stafford jerseys will not be allowed inside.
Stafford won’t let the outside noise affect his preparation or his approach to pre-game ceremonies.
“I don’t pay attention to any of that, to be honest with you. I’m not looking into the stands. I’ll find my family, give them a wave. But other than that, I imagine there’s going to be a lot of bodies in there. What they’re wearing, I don’t know, but, I bet they’ll be having fun.”
For the first time, having to visit the other locker room
at his fifteen-year NFL career, Stafford will have to get ready at Ford Field’s visitor’s locker room for the first time.
Even though he remembers the layout, he is eager to go back and participate in a big game that will attract a lot of attention in January.
“I hope I don’t end up in the wrong one, but I do know it’s the same tunnel. Both home team and visiting team come out of the same tunnel. I think we have a little side alley we got to take. At least that’s what it used to be. But no, it’ll be it’ll be a fun experience, like I said. There’s a lot leading up to it, obviously. I understand all that, but once the ball is snapped, man, let’s go play football. A ton of respect for who they are as a team and what they’ve built over the last few years. It’ll be a big challenge for us.”