When the Detroit Lions visit the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, the biggest storyline from the game will be the two starting quarterbacks going against their former teams.
Three seasons removed from a trip to Super Bowl LIII, the Rams determined they needed an upgrade at quarterback in order to get over the hump, shipping Jared Goff to Detroit in exchange for Matthew Stafford.
While the Rams were hoping to make a title push with the move, the Lions were complying to the demands of Stafford, who foresaw a rebuild and wasn’t interested in wasting more time in Detroit after 12 years and an 0-3 playoff record there.
The gap between where these two franchises stand couldn’t be wider, and that’s reflected in the 15.5-point spread Tipico Sportsbook has on the matchup. Odds on a Lions win are incredibly long at +700, meaning a $10 bet would net a $70 return.
When talking with reporters this week, Goff reflected on his time in L.A., saying despite sourness from how his time ended there, he has more good memories with the Rams than bad. His ultimate focus, however, is trying to get the 0-6 Lions a win, as they remain the only team in the NFL without one.
“The reality is that we need a win, regardless of who we’re playing this week. Regardless of my history or [former Ram Michael Brocker’s] history, or anyone we have with this team with the Rams,” Goff said. “It’s more of the reality is we need a win, and we can’t focus on that really.”
QB @JaredGoff16 is live at the podium: https://t.co/FA8lbMcyIm
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 20, 2021
Unfortunately for Goff, another reality is that win won’t be easy to come by. The man occupying his former job has LA’s aerial attack firing on all cylinders. The Rams are 5-1 behind an offense averaging 297.5 passing yards per game, fourth-best in the NFL. Their 9.1 yards per pass attempt leads the entire league. Stafford has thrown 16 touchdowns, good for third-best. He’s entering the matchup with top-five MVP odds at +900, going against a Lions defense that has allowed a league-worst 113.8 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks.
LA’s defense, meanwhile, is top five in sacks and takeaways, and top 10 in opponent points per game. A Detroit offense that is bottom five in scoring won’t have an easy time keeping up. Those good times Goff had in L.A. now belong to Stafford, who should have a breeze Sunday compared to what the new Lions quarterback will have to deal with in his return to SoFi Stadium.
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