The NFL’s Wild Card Weekend was full of blowouts aside from one game. The Los Angeles Rams gave the Detroit Lions everything they could handle, though they ultimately came up just short, falling 24-23 on the road in a hard-fought game that came down to the wire at Ford Field. Next up for the Lions is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by former Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Last weekend was the first home playoff game for the Lions in more than 30 years and their fans absolutely made the most of it. The atmosphere inside Ford Field was absolutely electric and the Rams players felt the energy inside that building.
In fact, Mayfield actually talked to some of his former teammates ahead of this week’s Divisional Round contest and he revealed that Rams players called it the loudest building they’ve ever been in, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press:
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield today on playing in Ford Field: "Talking to some of those Rams guys, they said it was the loudest thing they’ve ever heard. So we’ve got to be completely ready for that."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 18, 2024
These days it is often said that home field advantage around the NFL isn’t what it used to be, but that wasn’t the case in Detroit. Their fan base is hungry for success after so many years of futility and the Rams felt that energy last Sunday night. Now Mayfield and the Bucs have to get ready for that as well.
The Rams were able to weather that storm and hand with the Lions despite all of that extra energy inside Ford Field, but it was a challenge and it will be again this weekend for the Bucs. Mayfield was able to get some honest feedback from his former teammates and it could help him be successful this weekend.
The Rams weren’t quite able to overcome everything, but perhaps their words will help Mayfield and the Bucs overcome what is sure to be another electric atmosphere in Detroit at Ford Field on Sunday.
Matthew Stafford plans to return to Rams next season
Despite the loss, the Rams have something to build upon going into next season and it looks as if they will have their man under center once again.
Injuries called into question the future of Matthew Stafford, but the Rams quarterback indicated he plans on being back once again next year.
Following the playoff loss, Stafford made it clear that he intends on being back with the Rams next season and hopefully, he’ll be able to lead this promising team on another deep playoff run.
