The Lions have waited three decades to host a playoff game. For narrative purposes, there might not be a better opponent than the one they are getting on Sunday night as playoff football returns to Detroit.
Also returning to Detroit is Matthew Stafford, who brought respectability back to a Lions franchise that drafted him at its lowest moment. Stafford spent 12 years as the Lions’ quarterback before a 2021 trade to Los Angeles that felt more like a show of mercy to a franchise pillar.
The Rams will never have any reason to regret that deal. Stafford led the team to a Super Bowl win in his first season, and he’s bounced back from an injury-riddled 2022 to cement himself as one of the NFL’s most reliable quarterbacks again this season.
The Lions, though, have come out better than most expected. Jared Goff, thrown into the deal as a potential bridge quarterback for the Lions, has instead turned into their franchise signal-caller, and GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell have built up a talented roster around him.
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No one could blame Stafford or Goff for going through some emotions on Sunday night, but they will have to quickly shift their focus to football. The Lions are holding onto legitimate Super Bowl hopes in the NFC after a 12-win season, while the Rams were among the NFL’s hottest teams to close out the year and boast a dynamic receiving corps led by Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
The circumstances are wildly different for each franchise, however. The Rams are two years removed from a championship, while the Lions are facing the pressure of a 32-year playoff win drought.
MORE: Watch Lions vs. Rams live with Fubo (free trial)
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Lions vs. Rams in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs. Follow along with the latest updates below.
Lions vs. Rams score
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final | |
| Rams | |||||
| Lions |
Lions vs. Rams live updates, results from NFL wild-card playoffs
(All times Eastern)
7:40 p.m. — Boos for Matthew Stafford at Ford Field. Lions fans appreciate what he did for the franchise, but all bets are off in a playoff atmosphere.
Cheers for Jared Goff turned into boos for Matthew Stafford….. Wow. pic.twitter.com/2H4t1iLKZD
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 15, 2024
7:20 p.m. — With the Cowboys’ loss all but sealed, the Lions would host another playoff game if they advance. The Rams, meanwhile, would avoid the 49ers with a win and face the winner of tomorrow night’s game between the Buccaneers and Eagles.
6:55 p.m. — The Lions might have Barry Sanders, but the Rams have Bryan Cranston on hand at Ford Field.
🎙️A message from @BryanCranston at Ford Field. pic.twitter.com/0TL3AKTZfH
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 15, 2024
6:25 p.m. — Some perspective from Barry Sanders…
Last time us three had a @Lions home playoff game, we were in uniform. Let’s go. pic.twitter.com/Kgx7kdUobS
— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) January 14, 2024
5:45 p.m. — Matthew Stafford is in the building, back where he spent the first 12 years of his career.
Matthew Stafford has arrived to Ford Field 👀
📺: #LARvsDET — 8pm ET on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/uubw2mNTEr— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2024
5:15 p.m. — Lions brass might be enjoying what they’re seeing early in Dallas, where the Packers have a lead on the Cowboys. A Dallas loss and a Lions would allow Ford Field to host another playoff game next week.
4:15 p.m. — The winner of this game will know its opponent the second the final whistle blows if the Cowboys win. In that scenario, the Lions would go to Dallas with a win while the Rams would go to San Francisco with a win. If the Cowboys lose, the winner tonight will face the Eagles-Buccaneers winner.
4:00 p.m. — It’s a nice day to have a dome. The temperatures is currently 8 degrees in Detroit, with a feels like temperature of -9.
Lions vs. Rams start time
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 14
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
The NFL playoffs continue with Lions vs. Rams from Ford Field at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 14.
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What channel is Lions vs. Rams on today?
Lions vs. Rams will be broadcast by NBC, representing the network’s second game of the weekend and third when including Saturday’s exclusive Peacock broadcast. Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (color analyst) will be on the call from Ford Field.
For those who prefer streaming, the game can be found on Peacock and Fubo, which offers a free trial.
