NFL: Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford face their former teams in the first round of the playoffs

Matthew Stafford vs the Detroit Lions. Jared Goff vs Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams.

Game details

The NFL playoffs and Super Wildcard Weekend is here. The 12-5 Detroit Lions will play against the 10-7 Los Angeles Rams on January 14 in Detroit. This matchup features the number three seed Lions and the number six seed Rams from the NFC. Heading into this game, Detroit are the early betting favourites on NFL betting sites. The Lions have -167 odds to win the game on Betway. The Rams are the underdogs. They have +140 odds to advance. The point spread betting market is at 3.5 points. The Lions are -3.5. The Rams are +3.5.

The LA Rams might be one of the more dangerous teams heading into the playoffs

The Los Angeles Rams are one of the hottest teams in the league heading into the playoffs. The Rams started their season with a 3-6 record. They have a 7-1 record since their bye in week 10, their only loss was to the Baltimore Ravens — the team with the best record in the league and likely MVP — in overtime. At 10-7, the Rams record is not too impressive.

Their season is a lot more impressive when you examine their losses and take a closer look at their season. The Rams played their first four games without star wide receiver Cooper Kupp, they were 2-2 in those games. They lost to the Green Bay Packers without quarterback Matthew Stafford in week nine. They only lost one game to a team that is not in the playoffs this season, although they only beat two playoff teams; the Cincinnati Bengals defeated them in week three when quarterback Joe Burrow was still in the lineup.

The #NFLPlayoffs are set! pic.twitter.com/ZqfPEYLpI7

— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2024

This should be a tough game for the Lions because their defence is not great and they are going up against an offence that is heading in the right direction. The Rams averaged 23.8 points per game during the regular season, but averaged 28.2 ppg over the last eight weeks of the season. The Lions also have one of the worst passing defences in the league, they allowed the fifth most passing yards per game during the regular season. Stafford did not have a great statistical season, but he is playing well enough to win games and has one of the better receiving groups with Kupp and rookie receiver Puka Nacua.

Can Jared Goff lead the Detroit Lions to playoff success?

The Lions won their first NFC North division title this season thanks to a 12-5 record. The Lions have been one of the most consistent teams in the league this year. They beat most of the bad teams. And lost to a couple of the best teams in the league, as every team has this year. Three of their five losses were to playoff teams: the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, and a controversial loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Their other losses were against the Seattle Seahawks in week two and the Chicago Bears in week 14.

Rams vs. Lions

Sunday, January 14 -- 8pm ET on NBC#SuperWildCard #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ZwOwdn7Ni6

— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2024

Like the Rams, the Lions have two wins against playoff teams during the regular season, the Kansas City Chiefs in week one and the Packers in week four. This fact could be a little deceiving though considering many in the NFL world believe the referees cost them the game against the Cowboys. The Lions averaged the fifth most points per game during the regular season. Quarterback Jared Goff finished the season fourth in passing touchdowns with 30 and threw for 4,572 yards, good for second.

Detroit does not have a great defence, but they should match up well with the Rams. Goff has often not looked great when he is sacked and pressured this season. The Rams tied for 10th fewest sacks this year. This Lions offence should be in a good position with a below average passing defence and a slightly above average rush defence opposing them. If they can keep star defensive tackle Aaron Donald under control.