Why Rams-Lions could be the best wild-card game

For the Rams and Lions, there's more than just a playoff win on the line in their wild-card matchup. 

Quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff will likely be playing with an extra chip on their shoulders against their old teams. In 2021, Detroit traded Stafford to Los Angeles for Goff, two first-round picks and a third-round pick.

Stafford's Ford Field homecoming comes at a convenient time, with the Lions set to host their first home playoff game since 1993. After spending the first 12 seasons of his career in Detroit, the 35-year-old can spoil his former team's incredible season in the stadium he called home for so many years.

"The opportunity happens to be in Detroit, which is fun for me on a personal level," Stafford said after a win over the 49ers in Week 18. "I know it’s gonna be rocking there. Haven’t had a playoff game there in about 30 years or whatever it is, so it will be a great atmosphere."

Stafford gave everything he had to the Lions, leading the lowly franchise to three playoff appearances. His eventual split from the team was amicable, with the veteran quarterback wanting to compete for a Super Bowl in the twilight of his career and Detroit entering yet another rebuild. 

The same can't be said about Goff's divorce from the Rams, however.

The Rams selected Goff with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Despite leading Los Angeles to a Super Bowl berth two seasons later (they'd fall to the Patriots, 13-3), GM Les Snead and HC Sean McVay wanted another QB. 

Goff was seen as an afterthought in the trade that sent him to the Lions. After the Rams won Super Bowl LVI that same season, Los Angeles' decision to move on from him was heralded as a great move.

Fast forward two seasons, and now Goff has the opportunity to exact revenge on the team that gave up on him. The 29-year-old has been playing some of the best football of his career recently, commanding the Lions to a 12-5 record and an NFC North title. 

When looking at how Stafford and Goff have fared since the 2021 trade, their stats are eerily similar. Both quarterbacks have 24 wins and 41 turnovers, while Goff slightly edges Stafford in passing touchdowns (78 to 75) and passer rating (96.5 to 95.8). 

Granted, one has won a Super Bowl in the past three seasons and the other is preparing for his first playoff game in that span.