Matthew Stafford once held the title of the Detroit Lions’ greatest quarterback in the modern era, but success eluded him. Frustrated with the team’s continuous struggles and a coaching regime change three years ago, he expressed his desire to leave in a heartfelt meeting with Sheila Hamp and Rod Wood after the 2020 season.

Looking back at the following year, it’s clear why Stafford sought a change. Under new leadership, led by Dan Campbell and a first-time general manager, the Lions faced adversity. They endured 12 games without a win, grappling with a young roster, unproven coaches, and various defeats, including blowouts, buzzer-beaters, and an unprecedented 66-yard field goal loss. The historic struggles of the Detroit Lions left everyone astonished, even Stafford, who knew that pain intimately.

Jared Goff, Stafford’s successor, experienced the team’s challenges firsthand in just three games. Despite the initial setbacks, Goff expressed determination to overcome the obstacles.

Fast forward three years, and the Lions have transformed. Wrapping up a remarkable regular season with a 30-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, they achieved a 12-5 record, equaling a franchise win record. Celebrating their first division title in 30 years, the team secured a home playoff game at Ford Field.

Now, their journey takes an unexpected turn – a clash with Matthew Stafford and the sixth-seeded Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night at Ford Field.

Head coach Dan Campbell believes his battle-tested team is ready for the challenge. Despite enduring scars from past playoff disappointments, the Lions, scarred to perfection, are prepared for the upcoming showdown.

Despite Stafford’s incredible contributions to the franchise’s record books during his 12 seasons in Detroit, the Lions are poised to prove that they can rise from the depths and make a lasting impact in the playoffs.

He even seemed to acknowledge that fact, forgoing another opportunity to rebuild in a city he loves, instead seeking the instant gratification of a title in Los Angeles. And that’s exactly what he got, winning a Super Bowl in his first season with the Rams. Good for him.

The road was longer and harder — and harder earned — back in Detroit. The Lions went 3-13-1 without Stafford in 2021, and started the following season 1-6. Then they shipped another one of their best players, T.J. Hockenson, to the Minnesota Vikings at the trade deadline. Things got so bad that their owner and general manager both held press conferences within a week, trying to calm the waters, pleading for patience in a town that had run out of it, oh, a few decades ago.

Since that day, they’re 20-7.

And they have yet to lose back-to-back games, yet another franchise record.

“I think this crew has a whole different appreciation,” Goff said. “I’m saying our team and coaches, players, have a giant appreciation for our opportunity here coming from where we came from. Not that long ago, we were 3-13 trying to figure things out, and then early on last year, 1-6. It’s still all those same guys that don’t take this for granted and know how big of an opportunity we have now.”

In a remarkable turnaround, the Lions catapulted from the bottom to the top in just three years, with the return on the Stafford trade playing a pivotal role. They transformed draft assets into standout players like Jahmyr Gibbs, an explosive running back who made a significant impact in the latter half of the season, and Sam LaPorta, who recently set an NFL record for receptions by a rookie tight end. Together, they contributed 21 touchdowns, and LaPorta arguably had the second-best rookie season for a tight end, surpassed only by the legendary Mike Ditka.

Then there’s Jameson Williams, who is finally delivering on his immense powers.

And then, of course, there’s the quarterback Los Angeles was begging them to take off their payroll.

Jared Goff was unceremoniously left for dead in Los Angeles, and while he’ll say the right things this week about his breakup with Sean McVay, don’t let him fool you. He was mad as hell about how all that went down. McVay grew impatient with Goff in their final two years together, Goff turned over the football more than any other player in the league during that stretch, and was eventually benched late in the 2020 season.

Then Stafford requested the trade out of Detroit, and McVay begged Les Snead to bring the big-armed passer to Los Angeles for a Super Bowl run. Even if it meant giving up three draft picks, including two first-rounders, in return. The obvious subtext there: McVay believed Goff was no longer good enough to win with, Stafford definitely was, and it wasn’t even close.

Goff still asked for an exit meeting anyway, demanding to know where things went awry. Then he arrived in Detroit, and while the world howled about him being a bridge quarterback who would keep the seat warm until a young protege arrived, the Lions — armed with five first-round picks to take almost anyone they wanted over the next three years — remained committed to building around Goff rather than replacing him.

Things were tough at first, and Goff was among the worst quarterbacks in the league in his first half-season here. Remember that time he threw away a pass on fourth down? Remember that time he did it again? He looked nothing like the guy who had gone to a Super Bowl in L.A., and everything like the guy who got the boot from Sean McVay. He took a lot of bullets from fans and the media for it, including from yours truly.

But Goff has rewarded the Lions’ faith, rebounding to play at levels beyond what he ever achieved in Los Angeles. He piloted back-to-back top-five offenses the last two years, and finished No. 2 in passing yardage this season, trailing only Tua Tagovailoa. Amazing what a little faith — and a little Ben Johnson — can do for a guy.

Jared Goff is making a triumphant return, ready to showcase his prowess once again. And guess who’s standing on the opposing sideline? None other than Sean McVay.

It’s like poetry – intricate, challenging, and hard-earned.

In the words of Goff, “Dan said it best. No one has faced the kind of adversity our group has endured in the last couple of years. We’re prepared. It feels like we’ve been eagerly awaiting these opportunities, and now they’re finally here. Ford Field will be electric, and it’s going to be a blast.”

The atmosphere will undoubtedly be charged, but Detroit is no stranger to challenges. Stafford, performing at an MVP level since his mid-season return from injury, led the Rams to a 6-1 finish. The Lions have grappled with elite receivers before, and the Rams boast two in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the rookie record-holder for receptions.

Complicating matters is the absence of LaPorta, the star rookie tight end, who sustained a knee hyperextension and a bone bruise. While not a long-term setback, it’s expected to sideline him for at least Round 1. LaPorta, Goff’s second-favorite target, will be missed, especially on crucial third downs and in the red zone.

But the Lions are no strangers to adversity. They’ve faced setbacks like losing a star tight end mid-season last year. Even after trading Hockenson, they increased their scoring by three points per game, finishing 8-2.

This team is built on three years and a lifetime of overcoming adversity. They are designed for this moment. With Matthew Stafford seeking to end their unforgettable season, what a moment it promises to be. 🏈

“We’re not falling short,” safety Ceedy Duce said. “I’ll be damned if that happens. We worked too hard. Like Coach Dan says, we’re seasoned for this. We’re perfectly scarred for this.”

Source : https://www.mlive.com/lions/2024/01/the-lions-are-built-by-adversity-and-for-this-moment-against-matthew-stafford.html