The Detroit Lions will welcome the Los Angeles Rams to Ford Field on Sunday during Super Wild Card Weekend. The Lions last hosted a playoff game in 1994 and most recently went to the postseason in 2016. The Rams enter the playoffs with former longtime Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford under center. He spent 12 years with the NFC North franchise. Meanwhile, the Lions will start former Rams quarterback Jared Goff, who led his former club to the Super Bowl in 2018. The two teams traded quarterbacks in 2021, with the Lions also receiving draft capital. On the eve of the two teams clashing this weekend, let’s look back at how the trade has faired thus far.
Looking back on the Stafford – Goff trade …
A historic haul for both sides 🤝 pic.twitter.com/XttgPJ8WVk
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 12, 2024
Los Angeles Rams: Received Matthew Stafford and a Super Bowl Champion
The Los Angeles Rams parted ways with draft picks and quarterback Jared Goff to receive the services of signal-caller Matthew Stafford. The Georgia product has thrown for 10,938 yards, 75 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions with the NFC West club. Stafford led the Rams to a Super Bowl victory in 2021, his first in Los Angeles. He starred during his team’s four-game playoff run, throwing for 1,188 yards, nine touchdowns, and three picks. He tossed three scores in the Super Bowl.
Detroit Lions: Rejuvenated Offense
The Detroit Lions traded Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in a package deal involving Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick, and two first-rounders. The Lions penciled in Goff as their starting quarterback, replacing Stafford after 12 seasons. Goff played well during his first season, tossing for 3,245 yards and 19 scores against eight picks. However, Detroit posted a rough 3-13-1 record. He took a massive step forward the following season, throwing for 4,438, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He posted his best quarterback rating since leading the Rams to the Super Bowl during the 2018 campaign. He again balled in 2023, tallying 4,578 passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns.
Detroit parlayed the three picks from Los Angeles into Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Jameson Williams, Joshua Paschal, and Brodric Martin. Gibbs and LaPorta came from last year’s draft and set franchise records as rookies in 2023. Gibbs collected 1,261 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Meanwhile, LaPorta snagged 86 passes for 889 yards and ten scores. They became the first pair of rookies to score double-digit touchdowns each. Martin also came from the 2023 draft and had three tackles.
The Lions burned the third-round pick acquired from the Rams on Melifonwu. He has 33 tackles and two interceptions in 17 games this year. He has made six starts. Paschal and Williams were solid contributors this season from the 2022 NFL draft. However, they have yet to live up to their high draft capital.
For More Football News:
Follow me on Twitter at @alec_musa. You can also reach out to me via email at musaalec@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest college and NFL news, click here!
