The 8-5 Detroit Lions face the 10-3 Los Angeles Rams in a game with major playoff implications. Detroit can boost its postseason chances with a win against the NFC-leading Rams. Meanwhile, LA must stay ahead of the Seahawks and 49ers in the NFC West, so the outcome will shape the playoff race for numerous teams.
Following that Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Lions returned to the win column by beating the Dallas Cowboys, 44-30. Thanks to Detroit's defensive efforts, it improved to 8-5 and sits just a half-game back from the Chicago Bears for the final Wild Card spot in the NFC.
“Proud of the guys. They rallied, man. They showed up. The work was there all week. It always is. But the intensity, the urgency. The guys don't ever get frazzled. They don't get panicked. They just go to work, [and] they did it again,” said Lions head coach Dan Campbell after the game. “We talked about takeaways. Man, we got takeaways. We got three of them. Two of them turned into 14 points. We were able to turn those up. And then, the last one, we were able to kneel it after Reed's pick. A number of guys played really good for us.”
Similar to last week, the Lions will face one of the league's best offenses, with LA ranking third in passing yards per game (249.2). Not only is Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford playing like an MVP, but wideout Davante Adams leads the league in receiving touchdowns (14), while Puka Nacua ranks second in receiving yards (1,186).
“[He’s] a Hall of Fame quarterback, and Matthew's a teammate of mine. I have the utmost respect for him. I really do, man. To be playing at the level that he's playing at his age. It's pretty remarkable. And, I mean, it's not too shabby the guys that he's throwing the ball to either,” explained Detroit defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. “He has two number ones over there, in Puka and Davante. We recognize that. And he does a good job giving those guys 50/50 opportunities. In my opinion, those guys are covered up on a lot of those plays you see that travel further than 20 yards. He allows his guys the opportunity to go up and make a play, and they do that for the most part. That stands out on tape to us. We've addressed it. We've talked about it, but now, it's all about going out and executing.”
Meanwhile, the Rams' defense presents its own set of challenges. They rank third in scoring (17.5 points per game allowed) and are tied for fourth in turnovers with 21 takeaways this season.
“I’m excited about this game, [I’ll] tell you, man. I mean, these are the matchups you live for,” offensive coordinator John Morton said on Thursday. “When I was talking to the offense yesterday, a lot of their categories, they're tops in the defense in a lot of categories. And then, we're right next to them. We're in the top of all those categories, too. So, it's going to be a fun matchup.”
For Matthew Stafford, this game will have extra meaning because it'll be just the fourth time playing against the team that drafted him in 2009.
“I’ve got a ton of respect for them, you know. I've flipped the tape on. I don't think about all the guys that I used to play with because hardly any of them are still playing on the team,” Stafford told reporters on December 10th. “The biggest thing for me is watching them play, and they jump off the tape. They're fast, they're physical, they're really well-coached. They’ve got playmakers on offense. They’ve got playmakers on defense. They're really sound in the special teams department as well. It’s a really good, complete football team that's been really good for the last couple years. So, it'll be another challenge for us.”
With 37 sacks on the season, the Lions have the fifth-best pass rush in the NFL. That will be a huge test for the Rams' offensive line, which is tied for the fewest sacks allowed this year (17).
“[They’re] really, really physical. Great get off, discipline, high effort, talent. I mean, they're what you want in a front,” Stafford said. “They affect the game both in the run game and the pass game. It’s been a big challenge every time we've played them. It starts up front with those guys and trickles into the back end. They're the engine.”
Defensively, LA needs to be worried about Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs. He ranks fifth in the league in scrimmage yards this season with 1,536, meaning he can hurt you on the ground and through the air.
“I see as explosive of a player as there is in this league,” head coach Sean McVay said of Gibbs. “Every single time he touches it, you're like, ‘Oh my gosh, he might score.’ He's unbelievable in both phases. You see him compete in protection. There was a reason why he was so highly regarded coming out of ‘Bama. He is a special, special player, and they've got a lot of them.”
This game's main storyline is its playoff stakes. If the Rams defeat the Lions, they clinch a postseason berth. Despite the playoff implications, that won’t affect LA’s preparation for this matchup.
“It's cool to know certain things like that. Just the way we approach it, I think the best way is to just be where your feet are and conquer the day that you're in,” explained Davante Adams on December 10th. “Sunday, we'll go out there, and if we get to clinch at the end, that'll be great. If it wasn't, we'd still go out there with the same intentionality and same intentionality throughout the week to go out there and prepare for the game.”
Prediction for Detroit Lions @ Los Angeles Rams (-6)
This has the potential to be a playoff matchup, so I don't know why sportsbooks are expecting the Rams to win by six points. This game will be decided by three points or fewer. Detroit has not done a great job of defending the pass, ranking 19th in passing yards per game (221.2) and 26th in passing yards per attempt (7.3). Matthew Stafford should be able to carve up the Lions' banged-up secondary. If Detroit can control the clock and dictate the tempo of this game with the rushing attack, they'll come out on top. Unfortunately for the Lions, LA is tied for third in fewest rushing yards per attempt allowed (3.9) while ranking 11th in rushing yards per game allowed (103.5). Should the Rams get out to an early lead, I don't think the Lions will be able to keep up with LA.
Prediction: Rams 31 - 29 Lions
How to watch Detroit Lions @ Los Angeles Rams (-6)
Lions @ Rams starts at 4:25 p.m. EDT at SoFi Stadium. You can watch it on Fox or stream it on the Fox Sports app or YouTubeTV.
What To Do If You Have A Gambling Problem
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call or visit the Council on Compulsive Gambling:
Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-Call GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org
CO, DC, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY – Call 1-800-GAMBLER
AZ- Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP
IA – Call 1-800-BETS-OFF
KS, NV – Call 1-800-522-4700
KY – Call 1-800 GAMBLER, 18+
MI – Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help
MA – Call 1-800-327-5050
NC – Call – 1-800-662-4357
NY- Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)
DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Gambling comes with its fair share of risks, and it is important to recognize that when using online gambling sites.
While we review different gambling sites, you should check with local laws in your area before gambling online. Also, all gambling sites and guides are rated 21+ only.
The following free gambling addiction resources can be of help:
21+ Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
