The Detroit Lions came into Sunday’s contest in Los Angeles against the Rams as massive underdogs, but still, their fans were hoping for a miracle against former quarterback Matthew Stafford. The veteran was shipped to the Rams in March in exchange for a package that included Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick, and two first-round picks in 2022 and 2023.
Sunday was the first time Stafford and Goff played against their former clubs and in the end, it was Stafford’s Rams that came away with the crucial victory. Despite a valiant effort from the Lions who led at various points throughout the game, Los Angeles pulled away in the fourth quarter to escape with the 28-19 win.
“Am I happy it’s over with? Yeah,” said Stafford after the game, via TSN.ca. “Got a lot of great friends, got a lot of people that I care about that are on that team or from that city, and just glad to have this one over with. Can put the storylines away and just go out and play football the rest of the year, and just enjoy it.”
Stafford was selected with the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Lions and he had spent his entire NFL career with the franchise prior to being traded. He passed for 45,109 yards during his time in Detroit but was often criticized for having never won a playoff game during his 12 seasons with the Lions. However, he made all critics remember exactly what they are missing when he threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns against his former team on Sunday.
“He was great in the clutch,” Detroit Lions’ head coach Sean McVay said of Stafford after his team’s win. “And really, even when things weren’t going well, he just stays nice and even-keeled, and that’s what a great quarterback does. He’s our leader.”
While the 33-year-old was never able to elevate his former team, they have yet to win a game since the trade. Sunday’s loss relegates the Lions to 0-7 on the campaign as Dan Campbell’s men continue to pursue their first victory of the year.
“Detroit’s a tough out,” Stafford said. “Always have been, probably always will be. Just happy to get one.”
Even though his team ultimately came up short at SoFi Stadium, Goff threw for a respectable 268 yards on the afternoon.
“I didn’t think about it until after, but there’s a lot of guys I never saw after the trade,” Goff said about seeing former teammates following the game. “Being able to see them and say hello and catch up for two minutes was good. It was healthy. And then once the game started, it was very as usual. It really felt like any other game.”
The Lions continue the chase for their first win next Sunday when they host the Philadelphia Eagles at Ford Field on Halloween. Stafford and the Rams will travel to Houston on Sunday to play the Texans as they look to 7-1 on the season.
