The Detroit Lions have been the center of discussion on several national sports talk shows this week, particularly the Pat McAfee Show, after earning their first division title in 30 years this past Sunday. On McAfee’s show on Wednesday, the conversation regarding the Lions continued. Instead of interviewing one of the franchise’s former opponents, this time it featured one of their all-time greats, Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders.
Sanders discussed a variety of issues during the 20-minute conversation, including the Lions’ division title win, the turnaround under head coach Dan Campbell, and who he believes will be this season’s NFL MVP. Sanders did, however, bring up a topic that is generating a lot of buzz: a potential playoff meeting with the Los Angeles Rams.
If the playoffs began this weekend, the No. 3 seed Lions would host the No. 6 seed Rams at Ford Field. This would be Ford Field’s inaugural playoff game, as well as Matthew Stafford’s first game in Detroit since the Lions traded him to the Rams. With Stafford having spent the first 12 seasons of his NFL career with the Lions, Sanders discussed how he would be treated on his return if the matchup occurs.
“I think they’ll be fairly cordial to Matt Stafford,” Sanders said. “I think we appreciate his time as a Lion. We’re glad he had a chance to go win a chip a few years ago. So I think, generally speaking, people respect him.
“But in a scenario like that, obviously, he’s coming in as an opponent, and the fans are going to go absolutely berserk with a home playoff game at Ford Field. I promise you.”
Stafford was dealt to the Rams in 2021 in exchange for Jared Goff, a 2022 first-round pick, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2021 third-round pick.
The move appeared to benefit both franchises over time. Stafford would play a crucial role in the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI victory in his first season with the organization. Goff has been instrumental in the Lions’ resurgence, with the team posting back-to-back winning seasons and capturing their first-ever NFC North title.
Additionally, employing strategic maneuvering and crafty draft-day trades orchestrated by general manager Brad Holmes, the Lions effectively transformed the 2022 and 2023 first-round picks acquired from the Rams into a roster that includes Jameson Williams, Joshua Paschal, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, and Brodric Martin. Moreover, utilizing their 2021 third-round selection, they seamlessly brought Ifeatu Melifonwu on board.
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