DETROIT — The day is finally here. After a week full of Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff and Sean McVay questions, it’s finally time for the Detroit Lions to host the Los Angeles Rams in prime-time wild-card action.
We’ll answer three burning questions ahead of Sunday night’s kickoff in this post.
What are Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff saying ahead of this game?
Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford didn’t lean into the storylines of the week too much, as widely expected. Goff noted the personal connections and some the “differences” he and McVay had at the end of their time together. But he said that, for him, his main motivation was bringing a playoff win to Detroit.
It’s the first home playoff game for the Lions in 30 years. They haven’t won in the postseason since 1991-92.
“I so badly want to win a game for this city and win a playoff game for this city that hasn’t had one in so long,” Goff said. “We’ve got a home playoff game for the first time in so long and that’s so much more important than anything personally for me. I want to be a part of this win and do my job to the best of my ability.”
Stafford gave it that next-game treatment, as well, reiterating his love of the city and fans from his 12 years under center for the Lions. It’s the veteran quarterback’s first trip back to Ford Field since being traded for Goff three years ago. Stafford said he’ll game-day routine will remain the same, while he’ll say hello to those who want to catch up from his time in Detroit..
“I’m not expecting anything, to be honest with you,” Stafford said on Wednesday. “I was asked this question a couple times, just by friends and family. And I think the biggest thing for me is to 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 and my career with them and to my family. 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. You know? 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. Two good football teams go compete and see what happens.”
Can the Lions handle Stafford and the one-two Rams WR punch?
And outside of those juicy storylines, Stafford and the wide receiver one-two punch of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua is a challenge of supreme difficulty. Stafford did his best to enter the MVP conversation down the stretch. And Nacua set new NFL records for receptions and yards by a rookie wideout.
Kupp remained a killer when on the field and healthy, too. The star receiver missed the first month of the season, then still notched 59 catches, 737 yards and five touchdowns.
“Well, they have two good players,” Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “And when you’re a good player, you don’t really see the drop-off as much. So, he’s here to stay and we have to deal with him, which we will, alright with all those guys. And that’s just what it is.
“Listen, we’ve played against good players throughout this season. It’s no different than these guys, so we’re going to attack him the way we attack him and we’ll let the chips fall where they may.”
How big of a factor could playing at Ford Field be for the Lions?
It’s going to be electric. This fanbase has been a sleeping giant waiting to erupt, and a season decorated with unrelenting support all leads to Sunday night. The Lions and their fans traveled well all season, taking over opposing cities and stadiums in Kansas City, Green Bay and New Orleans, among others.
And the attendance at Ford Field has been better than ever (100.5%). The consistent buzz from the Monday Night Football win over the Raiders is tough to describe, but it’s likely going to be even more than that. And it’s something Dan Campbell has envisioned for three years running as Lions head coach.
