Several months later, Matthew Stafford has a softer stance on the way he was received in his return to Ford Field. After being booed -- like any visiting quarterback -- when he took the field ahead of the Lions' first home playoff game in 30 years and their first playoff win in 32 years, Stafford said that night that he was happy for his former teammates, but not for the fans.
Asked recently if he was surprised by the fans' reaction, Stafford told the Pardon My Take podcast, "No. Honestly, I know what kind of fans they are and honestly I totally understand it. I get it. They’re going to want to do everything they can to make my life as uncomfortable as possible. They hadn’t had a playoff game there in 30 years, so they’re going to be jazzed up for whatever. And the fact that it was me, and our team, I’m sure it was even more so."
After briefly booing Stafford, the fans spent most of the night chanting the name of his successor. Jared Goff and the Lions went on to beat the Rams 24-23, delivering the playoff win the eluded Stafford over his 12 seasons in Detroit.
"That was honestly one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever played a football game in," Stafford said. "Sean (McVay) and I talk about it all the time, man. It was incredibly loud. We came out for warmups and there was not an empty seat. It was go-time from the second we first stepped out of the tunnel, so it was a lot of fun."
Stafford, 36, also acknowledged that making his return to Detroit for a game of that magnitude created an especially emotional stage.
"I would be not human if I wasn’t feeling some of those emotions, even the week of practice thinking about it and talking to people that meant a lot to me in my life and my career that still live in Detroit and are a big part of the community there," Stafford said. "It definitely meant a lot, it was tough, and then when I walked into the stadium, I definitely felt it.
"But once the ball was snapped, man, it was time to go. I was just trying to throw for as many yards as I possibly could, score as many touchdowns and beat the hell out of them. It didn't go down that way, but that’s all I was trying to do."
Stafford played well, going 25 of 36 for 367 yards and two touchdowns, with a passer rating of 120.9. But Goff played just a tick better, 22 of 27 for 277 yards and one touchdown, a rating of 121.8 -- and the completion that sealed the Lions' win.
In the handshakes after the game, Stafford could be heard congratulating Goff and telling him, "Go fu**ing win it all, buddy!" The Lions nearly made it to the Super Bowl before falling short in the NFC title game. Asked if he was rooting for his former team the rest of the way, Stafford said, "No. I’m not rooting for anybody at that point."
"I have a couple ex-teammates that I really wanted to see play well, and they did. But at that point, I wish everybody could lose," Stafford said. "It’s hard (watching the playoffs after being eliminated). I’ll peek it, but I’m not invested, being like, ‘Oh, that’ll be a good matchup next week.’ I’m like, ‘F-this, I wanna be out there.’"
Detroit won't have to wait long to see Stafford again. The Lions host the Rams to kick off the season on Sunday Night Football, in what is sure to be another hostile environment at Ford Field.