This wild card weekend is centered around Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff equally.
The quarterbacks, who were once selected as the first overall pick and have only ever played for the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams, are inextricably linked.
In Detroit, Stafford is adored. After their 0-16 season, he was drafted in 2009 and played 165 times in his 12 years at Ford Field, throwing for 45,109 yards, 282 touchdowns, and 144 interceptions.
However, the Lions have never been able to assemble a team around their franchise quarterback, whose formidable tenacity matches his lightning-fast arm. He had a separated shoulder in his rookie season, but the play after, he had thrown a touchdown that won the game.
That completed his first career game-winning drive and fourth-quarter comeback; with 44 and 35, respectively, he leads all active quarterbacks in those categories.
While never winning their division, Stafford’s Lions did make it to the postseason three times, in 2011, 2014, and 2016. However, they lost all three of their road wild card matchups.
At the end of the 2020 season, a worn-out Stafford requested a trade, and the Rams came knocking as he faced yet another rebuild.
And a lot of Lions supporters cheered when he won Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.
Though the Rams defeated Stafford 28–19 at SoFi Stadium in October 2021, this is Stafford’s first visit back to Ford Field. Motor City will be roaring.
They have waited thirty years after all. At the Pontiac Silverdome back then, Detroit played better than Green Bay but still lost.
“To be honest with you, I’m not expecting any kind of reception,” stated Stafford. I am aware of the significance that Detroit’s residents and the city held for my family, myself, and my professional career.
However, I am also aware of the circumstances and know that I am the villain visiting the city. They don’t want me to succeed since I play on the other team.
I can’t wait to play in the playoffs against anybody, anyplace. We were a team that no one granted the opportunity to be in this position at the start of the season.
Due to a plethora of injuries, including Stafford’s, who only appeared in nine games the previous season, the Rams finished 5-12 after winning the Super Bowl.
But with the 35-year-old restored to full health, plus exceptional contributions from rookies Puka Nakua and defensive tackle Kobie Turner — as well as third-year receiver Tutu Atwell and second-year running back Kyren Williams — the Rams are a dangerous squad after winning seven of their previous eight. Goff, meanwhile, is up against the head coach who abruptly fired him as his prize for leading Detroit to a 12-5 record and their first division championship since 1993.
When the Rams returned to Los Angeles in 2016, they traded up for Goff, the No. 1 overall pick out of the University of California.
On paper, his time in Los Angeles appears to have been fruitful. During his three seasons, he led the Rams to victory in Super Bowl LIII, won two NFC West division crowns, and won an NFC Championship.
He inked a four-year, $134 million contract deal in 2019, but the laser-focused McVay was having trouble connecting with his unreliable, laid-back quarterback who had a habit of throwing turnovers.
Following the 49ers’ November 29, 2020, loss, McVay publicly and privately criticized Goff, telling reporters, “Our quarterback has to take better care of the football.”
And the gloves came off three games later when Goff broke his thumb. In favor of undrafted John Wolford, McVay benched Goff. Two weeks following their divisional round loss to Green Bay, the Rams decided to trade Goff to Detroit.
On Wednesday, Goff, 29, stated, “I think that’s a good thing. I think it’ll never leave me.”
He said of McVay, “Obviously, we had our differences there at the end, but he’s a great coach.” I learned a lot from this guy.
“This city hasn’t had a playoff game in a long time, and I really want to win one.” For the first time in a very long time, we have a playoff game at home, and that is far more significant than anything personally.
“The thing that I’ll never run away from are mistakes that I’ve made in the past,” McVay continued.
‘He deserved better than the way that it all went down. I will accept that. I believe he is also aware of that. And as time passes, I do come to appreciate him more.
It’s a unique exchange because it benefited both parties.
Stafford’s first season saw the Rams win the Super Bowl, but the Lions selected a third-round pick in 2021 and first-round selections in 2022 and 2023. With the addition of tight end Sam LaPorta, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, receiver Jameson Williams, and defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu, the draft capital was wisely used.
After being acquired by Detroit as a bridge quarterback, Goff developed into a reliable starter. This season, he has thrown for 4,575 yards, which is second-most in the NFL, while completing 67.3% of his passes.
The quarterbacks, who were once selected as the first overall pick and have only ever played for the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles
