Football returns to Ford Field on Sunday night when the Detroit Lions host the Los Angeles Rams in the 2024 season opener. The Week 1 matchup is a rematch of January’s playoff win by the Lions, the first-ever postseason victory in the history of the building.
Both teams have had some serious changes since the last meeting. To help keep up with what all is going on with Los Angeles, I turned to Rams Wire editor Cam DaSilva for a few questions about the team, Matthew Stafford, life without Aaron Donald and more.
How is Matthew Stafford looking as he gets ready to face his old team?
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 24: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams is tackled by Julian Okwara #99 of the Detroit Lions during the second half in the game at SoFi Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
He was excellent in the second half of last season, playing some of the best football I’ve seen him play at any point in his career. By all accounts, he carried that over to this summer where he was sharp in practice and more importantly, healthy. There was a minor hiccup with a hamstring strain that forced him to miss a couple of days, but he was on the field for all four joint practices, so that was essentially his preseason.
I expect him to have another strong season in 2024, particularly if Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua can both stay healthy.
It’s still a fairly big deal to many in Detroit, but does Los Angeles care much about the Jared Goff/Stafford angle anymore?
Oct 24, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the coin flip before the start of the Rams-Lions game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Probably not as much as Lions fans do, only because A) Goff wasn’t heralded the way Stafford was for 12 years in Detroit and B) Stafford has already won a Super Bowl in L.A. Fans are still interested in how Goff plays and from what I can tell, most still want him to succeed, but not at the expense of the Rams. No one in L.A. will be rooting for Goff on Sunday.
No more Aaron Donald. How have the Rams retooled the defense without him?
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell sets up to block Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021.
It’s going to be a group effort without Donald in the middle. Fortunately, they’ve nailed some of their recent draft picks. Byron Young was a stud last season, Kobie Turner could’ve easily won Defensive Rookie of the Year and the incoming tandem of Jared Verse and Braden Fiske might be even better than those two. We haven’t seen either rookie in a game yet because they both sat out the preseason, but they’ve been great in practice and are poised for big years. The Rams will generate pressure with those four, as well as some blitz packages that involve the inside linebackers and nickel corners.
What matchup is your biggest worry for the Rams?
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 24: Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a touchdown reception against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Amon-Ra St. Brown against literally any of the Rams’ defensive backs. Though the secondary should be better this season, the Rams had no answer for St. Brown in January. And with Darious Williams landing on injured reserve, it’s just another disadvantage for Los Angeles entering this game.
Another pretty big concern is the Rams’ ability to stop the run after trading away Ernest Jones and with Donald now gone. They could be susceptible to physical rushing attacks that hammer it between the tackles.
Can the Rams challenge the 49ers for NFC West supremacy?
Aug 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay walks the sidelines as he coaches against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
I think they can certainly contend for a division title this year. They beefed up along the offensive line and with the addition of Blake Corum, they have a two-headed monster at running back that should have sustained success and keep both players fresh throughout the year.
Both teams have some legitimate depth concerns behind their starters but the 49ers could be in serious danger if Christian McCaffrey or George Kittle get hurt.
Who wins and why?
Jan 14, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) celebrates after a 2024 NFC wild card game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
As confident as I am in the Rams this season, I don’t know that they’re going to win this game. The Lions have a lot of playmakers on offense and I’m not sure Los Angeles can match that personnel with Williams out. Plus, stopping the run could be a real challenge for the Rams; they’re slightly undersized up the middle so the Lions should be able to run it consistently. Lions 27, Rams 24