The Lions' first-ever playoff game at Ford Field could bring Matthew Stafford back to Detroit.
With three games to go in the regular season, the Lions and Rams are on a possible collision course on wild card weekend.
For the 10-4 Lions, the most likely seed in the NFC playoffs is No. 3, per ESPN Analytics. And for the 7-7 Rams, who have won four of five since Stafford returned from a thumb injury, the most likely seed is No. 6. The two teams could also meet in a potential No. 2-No. 7 matchup.
It wouldn't just pit Stafford vs. the team that drafted him first overall in 2009 and with whom he spent the first 12 years of his career, setting pretty much every franchise passing record but never winning a playoff game. It would pit Jared Goff vs. the team and the coach who kicked him to the curb after the 2020 season to replace him with Stafford.
It would also be a clash of two rosters assembled by closely-tied general managers: Brad Holmes of the Lions spent nine years under the tutelage of Les Snead during their time together with the Rams. It was Holmes and Snead who consummated the Stafford-Goff trade, which included three drafts picks for the Lions that Holmes has used to acquire Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and Ifeatu Melifonwu.
The Rams, of course, won the Super Bowl in Stafford's first season in LA, with the quarterback thriving in Sean McVay's offense. Stafford tied a career-high with 41 touchdowns that year (he also led the NFL in picks) and had a passer rating of 102.9. He was even better in the playoffs. He regressed last season and missed several games due to injuries, which could have prompted the Rams to rebuild. This year's team looked toast when the Rams started 3-6. Stafford, 35, was mired in the worst season of his career.
They're not dead yet. Stafford has thrown 13 touchdowns to two picks for a rating of 105.2 in the Rams' five-game surge, which continued with a 28-20 win over Washington on Sunday. They have a huge game Thursday against the 7-7 Saints, with whom they are neck-and-neck for one of the final NFC wild card spots. (The Bucs and Vikings are also 7-7, with the 6-7 Seahawks playing Monday night.) The Rams close the year by visiting the Giants and hosting the 49ers, who could be resting their starters in the season finale if they have the No. 1 seed locked up.
The Lions can clinch the NFC North with a win Sunday in Minnesota. They are currently No. 3 in the NFC, with the No. 2 seed still very much in play. They visit the 10-4 Cowboys next week and host the Vikings in the finale. They will almost surely be hosting a playoff game for the first time in 30 years, possibly two. And there's a decent chance it will come against Stafford and the Rams.
Buckle up, Detroit. Here comes Stafford, taking over at his own 28: