Game time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Venue: SoFI Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Where to watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Rams -15
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: Rams -15
Season record
Lions: 0-6 (Last place, NFC North)
Rams: 5-1 (2nd place, NFC West)
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Lions - Rams preview and analysis
Last week
Lions: lost 34-11 vs. Bengals in Week 6
Rams: won 38-11 at Giants in Week 6
The trade that is going to ultimately define this season will come to a head on Sunday.
For the first time in his NFL career, Matthew Stafford will face the team that drafted him first overall in 2009 when the Detroit Lions visit the Los Angeles Rams at SoFI Stadium.
Stafford was the Lions’ first pick in the draft following their 0-16 season in 2008. The former Georgia quarterback went on to play for the Lions for 12 years, becoming the undisputed leader in franchise history in passing yards (45,109) and touchdowns (282). After two playoff appearances in 12 seasons, the Lions traded their greatest quarterback to -- of all people -- Sean McVay.
In exchange, the Lions took back Super Bowl-appearance quarterback Jared Goff to build a new era around. In the likely event no one saw this coming, the Lions are quickly seeing how little they tried to build a team around Stafford and (at times) Calvin Johnson.
Stafford is putting together an MVP-caliber season with 16 touchdowns through six games while leading the Rams to a 5-1 start. If not for the Arizona Cardinals, L.A. would be leading the NFC West at the moment. The Rams are coming off a 27-point road win against the New York Giants that saw Stafford throw for four touchdowns last week.
As for Goff, why this man has to suffer for this team is remarkable. The Lions are coming off a 23-point loss to the Cincinnati Bengals to push Dan Campbell to 0-6 in his first season as a head coach.
Goff, the No. 1 overall pick by the Rams in 2016, threw for 18,171 yards and 117 touchdowns in his short Rams career. That included an appearance in Super Bowl LIII, but in a 13-3 loss to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. He threw for 202 yards last week while being bested by another No. 1 overall pick, Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.
All eyes will be on the quarterbacks, but the supporting casts will be getting some shine. Or at least the Rams. Cooper Kupp had 130 yards and two touchdowns last week, while Robert Woods also acute his third touchdown of the season. If the Lions had half of the Rams offense, things would be heavenly in the Motor City.
The LA defense is going to make life tough for the Lions. Aaron Donald isn’t even leading the Rams in sacks but it’s still dominant. It’s about to be that kind of game.
Prediction
I can’t imagine this game will be as emotional for the Lions as it will be for Stafford. There has to be something to beating the team that kept you around for 12 years and barely did anything to build a championship contender around you. I expect a big day for Stafford and another easy victory. Rams by 28
Betting trends
The Lions are 83-230 straight up as an underdog since 1992.
The Lions are 2-8 ATS in the last three seasons after gaining 75 rushing yards in their previous game.
The Rams are 22-9 ATS against conference opponents the past three seasons.
Los Angeles is 1-5 the past three seasons after allowing 17 points or less in two straight games.
Players to watch
Lions: Tight end T.J. Hockenson had eight receptions for 74 yards last week as the primary pass target in the Detroit offense.
Rams: Jalen Ramsey has eight pass deflections in his past five home games.
Statistical leaders
Lions:
Passing: Jared Goff -- 1,505 yards, 7 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Jamaal Williams -- 255 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: T.J. Hockenson -- 311 yards, 2 TD
Defense: Charles Harris -- 4 sacks
Rams:
Passing: Matthew Stafford -- 1,838 yards, 16 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Darrell Henderson -- 372 yards, 4 TD
Receiving: Cooper Kupp -- 653 yards, 7 TD
Defense: Leonard Floyd -- 4.5 sacks
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