The Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams squared off in the 2023 NFL playoffs. Now, with the 2024 season underway, the NFC contenders have kicked off in their rematch in Motor City. Eight months after Jared Goff and Co. edged former Lions star Matthew Stafford to advance in the postseason, Stafford will return to his old stomping grounds for a shot at redemption, looking to restart another playoff-bound journey for L.A.
Are the Rams better-suited to beat the Lions this time around? Or is Detroit just too talented to overcome in the NFC, where Dan Campbell's loaded roster is widely expected to make a run for the conference crown?
Either way, this one's must-see TV. So keep it locked here throughout Sunday's prime-time affair for live updates and analysis of the first "Sunday Night Football" marquee of the new season:
Both sides have lots of firepower, but it's been a physical few drives to open "Sunday Night Football." Byron Young with a sack for the Rams. Marcus Davenport getting busy on the Lions' front. L.A. gets on the board first thanks to a field goal from rookie Joshua Karty, but it took everything to get there. Matthew Stafford peppering Cooper Kupp with early targets to rebuild that rapport. Colby Parkinson also involved as a pass outlet, filling in for the injured Tyler Higbee at tight end.
Who said Detroit can't play defense? Alex Anzalone reads and pursues Cooper Kupp on a short pass on third-and-long, burying the Rams wideout behind the line to force a quick punt from Los Angeles. Beautiful start for Aaron Glenn's unit to open this prime-time contest.
Matthew Stafford gets a relatively subdued welcome to the Ford Field turf from Lions fans. Some boos, some cheers, but not nearly as roaring as it was when Stafford's Rams came back for the playoffs in January.
No surprise here, but Detroit's fearless leader believes his club is built to go the distance. Asked if 2024 is "Super Bowl or bust" for the Lions following last year's trip to the NFC championship, Campbell said: "I see Super Bowl," per NBC Sports. "I don't know what bust is."
Here we go, ladies and gentlemen. Matthew Stafford. Back in Detroit. Up against Jared Goff and Co. for the second time in eight months. This time, the stakes aren't nearly as high. But this is an important night for two NFC contenders looking to prove they belong in the conversation of the conference's elite.
This is a rematch of last season’s highly anticipated wild card matchup, which Detroit won 24-23 as Rams QB Matthew Stafford made his return to Detroit. Lions QB Jared Goff, who was drafted and played multiple seasons in L.A., beat his former team by throwing for 277 yards and a touchdown.
It was Detroit's first playoff win in 32 years.
The Lions kept the core of a team that was among the best in the NFL last season. Both coordinators (OC Ben Johnson & DC Aaron Glenn), but also locked up QB Jared Goff, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and right tackle Penei Sewell to new long-term contracts (all 4 years).
The Rams will have to find a way to replace future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald, who retired this offseason. Donald wrecked havoc for years since being drafted in 2014, constantly blowing up the line to get the opposing QB. His lack of presence will be felt.
L.A. used five of its first six picks on defense, including Florida State DL teammates Jared Verse and Braden Fiske with their top two picks.
The Rams are entering their eighth season with Sean McVay as head coach, and he's made the playoffs five times and won the Super Bowl in 2021.
The only losing season of McVay's career was in 2022, when the Rams went 5-12.
An NFC wild card round rematch highlights the final game of Sunday's Week 1 NFL slate as the Los Angeles Rams head to Ford Field to face the Detroit Lions (-4.5, 52.5) on Sunday Night Football.
The Lions (+1000) enter Week 1 as one of the most-bet teams to win the Super Bowl at ESPN BET. While the Rams currently have 30-1 Super Bowl odds and are +350 to win the NFC West.
Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock.
Odds current as of publish time, courtesy of ESPN BET
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Spread: Lions (-4.5) Money line: Lions (-415), Rams (+180) Over/Under: 52.5
First-half spread: Lions -3.5 (+102), Rams +3.5 (-125) Rams total points: Over 21.5 -150/Under 21.5 +120 Lions total points: Over 27.5 -140/Under 27.5 +110
Jared Goff total passing yards: 274.5 yards (Over (Even)/Under -130) Matthew Stafford total passing yards: 274.5 (Over -115/Under -115)
Kyren Williams total rushing yards: 59.5 (Over -115/Under -115) David Montgomery total rushing yards: 59.5 (Over +105/Under -135) Jahmyr Gibbs total rushing yards: 59.5 (Over +115/Under -145) Blake Corum total rushing yards: 24.5 (Over -115/Under -115)
Amon-Ra St. Brown total receiving yards: 89.5 (Over (Even)/Under -130) Puka Nacua total receiving yards: 69.5 (Over -135/Under +105) Cooper Kupp total receiving yards: 69.5 (Over -105/Under -125) Sam LaPorta total receiving yards: 59.5 (Over +110/Under -140) Jameson Williams total receiving yards: 39.5 (Over -120/Under -110) Demarcus Robinson total receiving yards: 29.5 (Over -105/Under -125) Colby Parkinson total receiving yards: 24.5 (Over -130/Under (Even) Jahmyr Gibbs total receiving yards: 19.5 (Over -135/Under +105) Kalif Raymond total receiving yards: 19.5 (Over +105/Under -135)
Pick: Blake Corum over 24.5 rushing yards.
While Kyren Williams was great last season for a Rams team that averaged 27.4 rushing attempts per game, Sean McVay has a history of using a committee approach, and the offense struggled when Williams was out last season. That's why Los Angeles drafted Corum to help lighten Williams' load. Corum had 505 rushing attempts over his last two seasons at Michigan, proving he can handle a heavy workload. He didn't play in the preseason, which likely means the Rams were saving him for a key role. Plus, McVay mentioned Williams will return punts, another sign Corum will be involved. The Rams' offensive line is one of the heaviest and highest-paid units, ranking 12th in run block win rate. -- Eric Moody
Pick: Matthew Stafford, 275+ Passing Yards (-115)
Stafford has a good matchup against his old team, in his former home stadium, in a game that projects to be a track meet. According to ESPNBET, the Lions and Rams have by-far the highest scoring total line of the day at 52.5 points, so the expectation is that the ball should be moving all game. The Lions have one of the most potent offenses in the league, so Stafford and the Rams will likely need to move the ball through the air to keep pace. The Lions' run defense is stronger than their pass defense, and the Rams enter this game with wideouts Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, as well as tight end Colby Parkinson, projected to have strong matchups. Stafford and Nacua torched the Lions in their playoffs matchup in January, with 181 of Stafford's 367 passing yards going Nacua's way. Stafford started and ended last season with a bang, throwing for more than 275 yards in three of his first four and five of his last six games, including the playoffs, and I look for him to start this season on a similar energy with a big performance against his former squad. -- Andre Snellings
Courtesy ESPN Stats & Information
The Lions were 12-5 ATS last season, tied with the Las Vegas Raiders for the best record in the NFL (14-6 ATS including playoffs). The Lions have finished among the top three teams against the spread in all three seasons under Dan Campbell. Campbell is 39-24 ATS as a head coach (.619), the best mark of any head coach to begin his career in the Super Bowl era (minimum three seasons). He is 35-16 ATS as Lions head coach (.686).
The Lions are 3-0 ATS in Week 1 under Campbell (8-2 ATS in September). The Rams are 6-1 ATS in Week 1 under Sean McVay (13-7-3 ATS in September).
The Rams are 15-9-3 ATS as at least 3-point underdogs under McVay, including playoffs (5-2-3 ATS with Matthew Stafford).
Twelve of the Lions' last 13 Week 1 games went over the total (last year went under).
Lions games were 11-6 to the over last season, tied with the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts for the highest over percentage.
Prime-time unders are 70-42-1 over the last two seasons (35-23 last season). Sunday night games are 26-10 to the under over that span (13-5 each of last two seasons).
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