Rams vs Lions: The monster of Motor City returns to spoil Lions postseason

Rams must face their prodigal son

But let's not gloss over the fact that the LA Rams must also face a former quarterback, and his name is Jared Goff. Goff was selected by the LA Rams with the first overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, and he was certainly successful in the Rams' offensive system. In just five years with the LA Rams, he won 42 games and only lost 27. But if you narrow that scope to only the years playing for HC Sean McVay, that record improves dramatically to 42-20.

Goff has been honored by an NFL Pro Bowl nomination three times: Twice with the LA Rams, and once with the Detroit Lions. Curiously, during his tenure with the Rams, his success was almost unanimously attributable to Rams HC Sean McVay. But since being traded to the Detroit Lions, Goff has been blessed with a resurgence in his NFL career.

Despite struggling to a 3-10-1 record with the Lions in his first season, he has improved to a career record of 24-23-1 as the Detroit Lions starting quarterback. Not only that, but Goff has the best completion percentage, 67.3 percent completion, in 2023 for the LIons. And he is back to his best form, as he threw 605 passes, completing 407 for 4,575 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just 12 interceptions. Those numbers rival his 2018 NFL season, and were accomplished without the benefit of McVay's offense.

Rams head coach Sean McVay did not exactly part with Jared Goff on good terms, but McVay has since stated that he has reconciled with his former quarterback. Unlike Stafford, whose legacy is still honored by Lions fans, there are many Rams fans who either underappreciate the performance of Goff while playing on the LA Rams roster, or simply still blame him for losing Super Bowl LIII.

Goff has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he truly is an NFL quarterback. In fact, he is a very good QB who can lead the Detroit Lions for many years to come. Now, he has the opportunity to prove to his former head coach and Rams fans that he is better than many give him credit for.

If you love the drama and excitement of NFL Football, the Wild Card game between the LA Rams and the Detroit Lions is the granddaddy of all football games this weekend. While I believe that the Rams have an excellent chance of winning, don't expect Jared Goff or the Detroit Lions to go down without a fight.

This one could be a very high scoring game.