The NFL has officially announced its complete 2021 schedule and the Los Angeles Rams, to no surprise, have a number of intriguing matchups.
Perhaps the most intriguing game of them all will come in Week 7 when the Detroit Lions come to town, setting up a homecoming for Jared Goff as well as Matthew Stafford facing his former team for the first time.
Stafford was drafted No. 1 overall by the Lions in 2008 and spent 12 years with the organization, although he was not able to win a single playoff game during that time.
On an appearance on NFL Network’s schedule release show, Stafford discussed what it will be like to face the Lions for the first time, via Cameron DaSilva of USA Today:
“It’ll be different. It’s something I’ve obviously never experienced,” he said. “I played for the same franchise for 12 years so this will be a new one for me. Obviously, a bunch of great friends and on the other side of the ball, an organization I care a lot about. But that weekend I’ll be doing everything I can to make sure that we come out on top.”
Considering the Lions are in a bit of a rebuilding mode, the Rams should be heavily favored in that game, which is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. PT on Oct. 24.
Throughout his time in the league, Stafford has played every team at least twice, except the Lions, of course.
Given the high level of competition in the NFC West and the Rams’ difficult schedule, Week 7 will really be a game they need to win if they want to win the division.
Outside of that, the Rams have five primetime games across the 2021 season, which will give Stafford the type of exposure he never had while playing in Detroit.
