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Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is sending a strong message ahead of the Los Angeles Rams game.
On Sunday, December 14, the Detroit Lions have a must-win showdown against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, and while all games in the NFL season are important, this one is extra crucial. The Detroit Lions enter the game with a 8-5 record and the postseason on the line, while the Rams are already, for all purposes, in the playoffs, but they’re playing for the NFC West division title, a first-round bye and the home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
Going into the game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Detroit Lions have a 52% chance of making the postseason, according to NFL research. If they win on Sunday, that goes up to 72%, which is great, but if they lose, that goes down to 42%. So, they’ll very much increase their chances of making the postseason if they beat the Rams.
Stafford and the Rams are having one of their best seasons in years. They already have a 97% chance of making the postseason, and if they win, that will inch up to more than 98%. They’re also No. 1 in the NFC West and have a 10-3 record heading into the showdown.
It’s certainly crunch time for the Detroit Lions. Now, Stafford is sending Detroit a message, and it’s one of respect but also caution.
Matthew Stafford Talks Detroit Lions
Stafford appeared Tuesday, December 9, on the SiriusXM podcast “Let’s Go” with sports commentator Jim Gray. He talked about the famous swap in 2021 which took Stafford to the Rams and Jared Goff to the Lions.
“Obviously I’m happy to be where I am, and I feel like the Lions obviously have capitalized on a lot of the picks and players that they were able to acquire in that trade,” Stafford said on the podcast according to the Detroit Free Press. “Their franchise is as good as it’s been ever in the last handful of years. So two successful teams, really good football coaches, good football programs at the moment. And, yeah, it looks like one that both sides got kind of what they were looking for out of it.”
Stafford also called his time in Detroit “just awesome.”
“I learned so much about myself,” he said. “I learned so much about NFL football, tough times, getting through things. My entire family, all four of my kids were born there. I still have friends there that I care about.”
He added, “Still know people in the building and think about those people all the time. So, tough decision to leave, to ask to leave, but I love where I am now. I’m having a blast playing football, but I wouldn’t change those 12 years there for anything. I think they’ve made me the player and the person that I am.”
Props for a Detroit Lions Favorite
On Wednesday, December 10, the NFL and Detroit Lions announced that defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 14, following his three-sack showing against the Dallas Cowboys.
Muhammad joins other recent Lions winners of the honors, including Jahmyr Gibbs and Jared Goff. Muhammad has the most sacks of any Detroit Lions player this season with nine.
Anne Erickson is an award-winning reporter for Heavy Sports covering the NFL, NBA and college football. Anne Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and additional sports, and her work has been published via ESPN, Fox Sports and more. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Erickson also hosts several podcasts and is a Detroit-based radio host. More about Anne Erickson
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