DETROIT — The Detroit Lions’ first home playoff game in 30 years will feature the return of one of the many quarterbacks who failed to lift the franchise to postseason success in the decades since it won the 1957 NFL title.
Matthew Stafford, the former Georgia Bulldogs star who was taken by Detroit with the No. 1 pick of the 2009 draft as the Lions were coming off the league’s first 0-16 season, is making his return to Ford Field with the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night in an NFC wild-card playoff game. It comes three years after he requested a trade that triggered a win-win blockbuster deal.
The Rams acquired Stafford, who led them to a title in their home stadium at Super Bowl LVI two years ago, in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff and first-round picks that helped the Lions draft record-breaking rookie tight end Sam LaPorta, standout rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs and second-year receiver Jameson Williams.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes made the deal in January 2021 with the Rams — the team that employed him for the previous 18 seasons — shortly after he was hired by Detroit. Holmes was tasked with turning around an organization that has been one of the NFL’s worst for generations.
Detroit’s most recent playoff victory was on Jan. 5, 1992, and that was the franchise’s only postseason win in six-plus decades.
“This town is ready for a winner, and we’re ready to give them that,” said Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who is from suburban Detroit and played his college ball for the Michigan Wolverines. “There’s been a lot of tough years for the Lions.”
The Rams wound up 10-7 but got off a rough start this season, going into their open date with a 3-6 record before bouncing back to earn a postseason bid for the fifth time in coach Sean McVay’s seven seasons leading the team.
“I’m excited to go play anybody anywhere in the playoffs,” said Stafford, who set franchise records for passing yards (45,109) and touchdowns (282) over his dozen seasons in Detroit. “We were a team that at the beginning of the season, nobody gave us a chance to be at the position that we’re in.”
The Rams had to play only one postseason road game during their championship run two years ago, but McVay and some of his veteran leaders have been in hostile playoff atmospheres.
McVay said the NFC championship game in New Orleans in January 2019 — when Campbell coached the host Saints’ tight ends — prepared players such as receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive tackle Aaron Donald for what they’ll hear at the Motor City’s indoor stadium.
“It’ll be crazy,” McVay said.
Anyway, much of the core from that title team for the Rams is gone.
Los Angeles had the NFL’s second-youngest roster for much of this season, which means about two dozen first- or second-year players will make their playoff debuts against the Lions (12-5), who won the NFC North Division. The group includes record-setting rookie receiver Puka Nacua, 1,100-yard rusher Kyren Williams and the rookie pass-rushing tandem of Kobie Turner and Byron Young.
“A lot of the guys around the building are hyped,” Turner said. “To go back with Matthew, and to have it be their first home playoff game in 30 years, I know the atmosphere is going to be insane.”
Yes, it might get loud, and that could be key if the home fans are able to be disruptive to the visitors’ offense. How Stafford fares through the air, particularly to Nacua and Kupp, against one of the league’s worst pass defenses may prove to be the difference in the game.
Detroit defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, though, did not sound like he was worried about it.
“I’ve been against tougher quarterbacks,” said Gardner-Johnson, who played in six postseason games with the Saints and the Philadelphia Eagles. “He’s a good quarterback, a great quarterback.”
Stafford’s second season in Los Angeles wasn’t nearly as cinematic as his first: He played in just nine games before being shut down with a bruised spinal cord while the Rams’ bid to repeat fell apart. The quarterback was even forced to deny rumors he was considering retirement.
He has put together one of his most impressive seasons in his return, leading a roster decidedly lacking in star power — at least compared to the 2021 team — back to the postseason in defiance of practically every preseason projection. Stafford passed for 3,965 yards and 24 touchdowns despite missing two-plus games for an injury and rest, and he was picked for the Pro Bowl for just the second time in his career.
Stafford played in three road playoff losses during his time with the Lions, and he hasn’t forgotten his frustration at being unable to end their decades of disappointment.
Now, though, he is in position to play a major role in extending their postseason misery. While he still holds Detroit dear, he’ll understand if the city doesn’t feel the same way this weekend.
“I’m not a stranger to the situation and understanding that I’m the bad guy coming to town,” he said. “I’m on the other team, and they don’t want success from me. So whatever happens, happens. I’m going to go experience it.”