America’s Game of the Week will feature Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams versus Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions. Jared Goff might not want reporters to keep talking about the trade but the truth
of the matter is that this trade will continue to be examined until Matthew Stafford retires. Stafford has been the clear difference in the trade. While, Detroit managed to acquire difference makers like Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Sam LaPorta in the draft, the quarterback position carries so much weight and Stafford’s ability transcends Jared Goff. Stafford has parlayed the trade into: 3 playoff trips, 1 Super Bowl win, and potentially a regular season MVP award. While, Goff has just made the playoffs twice with Detroit. It’s been Goff’s lack of stardom in the playoffs that has ultimately let the Lions down when it matters most. Let’s further look at the QBs and other positions on the roster as we approach Sunday…
QBs: When people look back on the trade between the Rams and Lions, both teams benefitted from the trade, but the Rams won the deal. They won the Super Bowl in 2021 and are then in a position to win another one in 2025. Meanwhile, the Lions are still searching for their first Super Bowl appearance. Stafford is the best quarterback in the NFL and is in a class by himself this year.
Goff has improved since his exodus from Los Angeles. But his performance is largely tied to the offensive line and running game. Look no further than the Philadelphia game. Goff was rattled and Los Angeles will look to do the same thing to him this week.
Stafford (17 Game *Playoff* Avg)
66.5 Completion %
5093 Yards
32 TDs
5.2 TD %
10 INTs
Goff (17 Game *Playoff* Avg)
61.2 Completion %
4165 Yards
15 TDs
2.6 TD %
9 INTs
RBs: Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, (and Ronnie Rivers) exploded for over 250 rushing yards against the Cardinals. These were easy yards too as Williams and Corum were largely untouched by defenders (credit to the offensive line). But as I mentioned last week, these two are going to be fresh going into the stretch run and playoffs. McVay has a running game again. Look out.
The best running back in the league is Jahmyr Gibbs. His ability to stop and accelerate is unmatched. LA will have to figure out who is guarding him in the pass game too because a linebacker is not the right answer. It will need to be a defensive back. The only problem is that if they use a defensive back, that allows Detroit to run the ball with a “lighter” defense on the field.
WRs: Puka Nacua showed off his #1 WR ability last week; producing the highest PFF WR score ever. Davante Adams did not find the endzone but Stafford and him are in a strong place compared to the early part of the season. Tutu Atwell will be activated off IR according to Sean McVay. The playing time might not be there but Atwell’s speed could give defenses fits when the Rams do choose to use 11 personnel.
Jameson Williams, Isaac Teslaa, and Amon-Ra St. Brown form the trio of receivers for Detroit. It seems likely that Emmanuel Forbes will travel with Williams because of the speed factor. Witherspoon seems likely to travel with Teslaa because of size. The question will whether Cobie Durant or Josh Wallace is in covering St. Brown in the slot. This will be a tough assignment for the Rams secondary on Sunday.
TEs: Parkinson has actually elevated himself to 10th ranked TE in the NFL according to PFF. Now, a lot of that might be bloated due to his redzone touchdowns. However, when Parkinson has been targeted, he’s been reliable. He is third on the team in receptions (26) out of 31 targets.
Since Sam LaPorta is out for the year, the Lions have not really used their tight ends. Brock Wright and Anthony Firkser are predominantly used for run blocking.
OL: The Rams offensive line has been phenomenal. Warren McClendon has been huge upgrade over the injured Rob Havenstein. This week will be a big test for McClendon as Aidan Hutchinson will be across from him.
The Lions offensive line has been solid the last three years with Penei Sewell shouldering a dominant 96.0 PFF grade. He has been elite in his run blocking grade but could be challenged in pass protection by the likes of Jared Verse and Byron Young. Trystan Colon and Graham Glasgow are the weaker links with 54.2 and 58.2 grades respectively.
DL: Poona Ford has been exceptional in the middle for Los Angeles. His 85.3 grade is 3rd amongst interior defensive linemen. Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske have rebounded from slow starts to now consistently collapsing the pocket. The Rams may look to use Tyler Davis quite a bit against the Lions rushing attack.
Alim McNeil and DJ Reader are big bodies but they will not be a threat to rush the passer. Their sole purpose is to collapse the pocket to allow Hutchison to collect his pressures and sacks.
EDGE: This game will feature four of the best pass rushers: Jared Verse, Byron Young, Aiden Hutchison, and Al-Quadin Muhammad. Verse & Young have combined for 58 pressures, 17 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, and 4 forced fumbles. While Hutchison & Muhammed have a combined: 57 pressures, 17.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles.
LBs: It wasn’t a Nate Landman punchout for a turnover. Instead it was an interception by the linebacker who has a nose for the ball. With that being said, I feel like we are due for a Landman peanut punch any week now.
Detroit actually carries a deep linebacking corps. Jack Campbell (88.5), Derrick Barnes (63.8), and Alex Anzalone (68.7) are on the field quite a bit for Detroit so the Rams will have to get creative with their mixing of personnel packages.
DBs: This game might be one where LA feels the effect of their injury with Quentin Lake. He would have drawn the assignment on Amon-Ra St. Brown but now LA will have to hope Durant or Wallace can step in with some success. St. Brown will get his catches no matter what, but Los Angeles must limit them.
The Lions are thin in the secondary with Brian Branch suffering an achilles injury and Terrion Arnold on IR (shoulder). Amik Robertson, Rock Ya-Sin, DJ Reed, Avonte Maddox, and Thomas Harper will patrol the back end for Detroit. Detroit’s secondary is one of the most penalized teams in the NFL with 9 DPIs and 7 defensive holds. Expect them to grab and hold a lot!
ST: Harrison Mevis continues to be a solid replacement for the Rams in the second half; moving on from Josh Karty. The Rams offensive efficiency has made Ethan Evans job almost irrelevant.
Jake Bates will be the place kicker for Detroit. He has only missed one kick from within 49 yards this year.
Coaching: Sean McVay has shown a more aggressive side this year, going for it on 4th down more often than not. This will be crucial against the Lions who “pride” themselves as one of the trailblazers for “going for it” on 4th downs.
Dan Campbell will continue to be aggressive but his offensive acumen is no where near Ben Johnson, his previous offensive coordinator. Look for Chris Shula to generate pressure in the same way that Philadelphia rattled Jared Goff a month ago.
What are you expecting in the latest Rams-Lions matchup? Will Stafford get a win against his former team?
