The Los Angeles Rams’ NFC Wild Card Game against the Detroit Lions has some added intrigue as Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff are facing their former teams for the second time since the blockbuster trade prior to the 2021 season.
The first meeting saw the Rams come away with a 28-19 win over the Lions in Week 7 of the 2021 NFL season. Stafford threw for three touchdowns in the victory, while Goff struggled in his return to L.A.
Goff’s stint with the Rams had many highs and lows as he led the team to Super Bowl LIII and made two Pro Bowl appearances, but also struggled with consistency at times.
Ahead of the Lions’ playoff matchup against the Rams, Goff admitted he still has a chip on his shoulder from the trade, via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard
“Of course,” Goff told ESPN. “I think it’ll never leave me, and I think that’s a good thing.”
Goff didn’t always see eye-to-eye with Rams head coach Sean McVay, but appreciates all that he thought him:
“Obviously, we had our differences there at the end, but he’s a great coach,” Goff said of McVay. “He’s a guy that taught me a lot.”
Despite having success in L.A., Goff is arguably playing the best football of his career with the Lions. The 29-year-old led Detroit to a 12-5 record this season, throwing for 4,575 yards with 30 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.
Goff joined Stafford as the only players in Lions history to accumulate at least 4,500 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in a single season.
Goff is looking to become the first Lions quarterback to win a playoff game since Erik Kramer in 1991. Stafford went 0-3 during the playoffs in 12 seasons with Detroit.
Matthew Stafford ‘excited’ for Rams’ Wild Card matchup against Lions
Stafford, who is the Lions’ all-time leading passer, said he is looking forward to returning to Detroit for the first time as a visiting player.
