The NFC Wildcard Playoffs continue on Sunday night when the Los Angeles Rams (10-7, 10-6-1 ATS) take on the Detroit Lions (12-5, 12-5 ATS). The starting quarterbacks of each team will be taking on their former teams after Matthew Stafford was traded for Jared Goff back in 2021. The Rams are the 6-seed in the NFC, they finished second in the NFC West, and were the only team in the NFC to finish with a 10-7 record. The Lions grabbed the 3-seed by winning the NFC North. The Lions had the same record as the 49ers and Cowboys, but the 49ers had a better win percentage in NFC games, and the Cowboys beat the lions in week 17. The Rams and Lions did not meet in the regular season. Detroit is currently listed as a 3-point home favorite. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 EST from Ford Field in Detroit, and can be found on NBC.
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The Rams over/under for total wins this season was listed anywhere between six and seven games this preseason, they went on to win ten. Head coach Sean McVay gets the most out of his players, and implements a system that gives players a chance to be successful. Cooper Kupp missed five games this season and battled injuries, and McVay was able to turn Puka Nacua in to a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver. The Rams are peaking at the right point of the season, they have won seven of their last eight games, and have plenty of momentum heading into the playoffs.
Bigger stage. Brighter lights. We're here for it. pic.twitter.com/viYPpe4pap
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 9, 2024
Matthew Stafford makes his return to Detroit after a long career with the Lions. Stafford won a Super Bowl with the Rams, and will look to get past his former opponent in the Wildcard Round. Stafford finished 11th in the NFL in total passing yards and averaged 264.3 yards per game with a 24-11 TD-INT ratio. Running back Kyren Williams only played in 12 games this season, but still ran for over 1,000 yards, finishing with 1,144 yards on the season. Williams averaged 95.3 rushing yards per game, and had 12 touchdowns on the season. Puka Nacua had a monster rookie season for the Rams, he finished 4th in the league in total receiving yards and averaged 87.4 yards per game with six touchdowns. Nacua had 25 receptions of over 20 yards. Cooper Kupp is now healthy and averages 61.4 yards per game and grabbed five touchdowns this season. Tyler Higbee was their top tight end with 33.0 yards per game and just two touchdowns.
The Rams finished 8th in the NFL in scoring with 23.8 points per game, and their defense finished 19th by allowing 22.2 points per. They were led in tackles by linebacker Ernest Jones with 145 on the year, he also added 4.5 sacks. Their sack leader was defensive end Kobie Turner with nine, and Aaron Donald was not far behind with eight. Both Jordan Fuller and Ahkello Witherspoon had three interceptions out of the secondary to lead the team. The Rams forced 15 turnovers on defense, and turned the ball over 18 times on offense.
Injury Report:
Questionable: TE Tyler Higbee, T Joe Noteboom, G Kevin Dotson, LB Troy Reeder, S Jordan Fuller