There are a lot of very intriguing storylines in this Wild Card Weekend, but perhaps none is as interesting as the Los Angeles Rams heading to Detroit to face the Lions. Not only is it the first home playoff game for the Lions in 30 years, but it also will see Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford return to Detroit, where he spent the first 12 years of his career.
Of course, the Rams and Lions made a trade, swapping quarterbacks back in 2021 with Stafford coming to Los Angeles while Jared Goff was sent to Detroit. And the results were exactly what the Rams were looking for as they went on to win the Super Bowl that year.
Now, as he is set to return to Ford Field, many are curious as to the reception Stafford will receive and the Rams quarterback has no expectations, though he does understand that he is the bad guy in this situation.
“I’m not expecting anything, to be honest with you,” Stafford said. “I was asked this question a couple of times by friends and family. 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 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. I’m on the other team. 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.”
The Lions fans are surely appreciative for everything Stafford did for the team and city, but as he pointed out, Stafford plays for the Rams now and this is a playoff game. Some fans are even pushing for Stafford Lions jerseys to be banned, but he couldn’t care less about that.
“I don’t pay attention to any of that, to be honest with you,” Stafford added. “I’m not looking into the stands. I’ll find my family, give them a wave. 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.”
Rams’ Matthew Stafford expecting Ford Field to be loud
In the end, Stafford has nothing but love for the city of Detroit and the Lions organization overall, but he and the Rams are looking to spoil the party. But it won’t be easy and he is expecting the atmosphere to be one of the loudest he’s ever experienced.
“Yeah, I’ve played in a lot of loud venues throughout my career but I’m sure this one will be up there. There were some loud ones I can remember playing there and it’s a fun place to play. So I’ll obviously be on the other side of trying to communicate during those games this week but I know it can get going. We just got to go out there and try to play well.”
How Lions fans will react to him initially is unclear, but if he can lead the Rams to an upset, there will be a lot of boos hurled Stafford’s way on the way out.
