The Los Angeles Rams have moved into the No. 1 spot in the NFC after winning seven of their last eight games.
They can clinch a postseason berth with a victory over the visiting Detroit Lions on Sunday. With a loss, the Rams (10-3) could find themselves tied for second place in their own division.
“Our focus is solely on the game in front of us,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “As far as what kind of implications that has, to be honest with you, we haven’t talked about it one bit.”
What has been talked about around the league is Stafford’s candidacy for NFL Most Valuable Player honors. If the Rams keep winning, he could be the favorite for the award.
“I don’t want to speak in too many hypotheticals to be honest with you,” he said. “I am a fan of this game and have been for a long time. Anytime you get honored, for whatever award in any kind of way in whatever position in this league, it’s something that I don’t take for granted. Just to be in the conversation is something that’s humbling to me.”
Puka Nacua earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors by making seven receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-17 road win over Arizona on Sunday. The Rams’ dynamic wide receiver duo of Nacua and Davante Adams will be facing a banged-up Lions secondary that lost playmaking safety Brian Branch to a torn Achilles tendon in Detroit’s 44-30 victory over Dallas on Thursday. Fellow safety Kerby Joseph (knee) is also out for the game.
“When you get to see the guy up close and go against him, you realize how big and strong he is,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of Nacua. “He’s got good range, he’s faster than I think people realize. He runs well, and then he blocks. He gets after it. So, you’ve got to fight this guy all the way to the catch point.”
Detroit has won two of the last three matchups with Los Angeles since the two teams famously swapped quarterbacks. In last season’s meeting, the Lions won in overtime, 26-20. Stafford threw for 317 yards, 100 more than Jared Goff, and both quarterbacks had a touchdown pass and an interception.
Goff says his days with the Rams are fading in his memory.
“It feels like a long time ago,” he said.
He’s focused on the challenges the Rams present now.
“I think we’re both really good teams, I’ve got so much respect for those guys over there and how well they’re playing, how well they’re coached,” he said. “Certainly, the film I’m watching, their defense is really impressive. (Rams defensive coordinator) Coach (Chris) Shula is doing a great job, and, obviously, we know what they’re doing on offense.”
The Lions (8-5) are still on the outside of the playoff picture and may need to win out to nab a spot.
Jahmyr Gibbs scored three rushing touchdowns in the win over the Cowboys, moving him into second place for overall touchdowns (13) behind Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor (16).
“He’s a weapon for us, we’ve said that all along,” Campbell said. “I mean, this guy serves many roles, and he gives us a lot of flexibility with what we can do.”
The Lions rank first in the league in points per game at 30.3. The Rams aren’t far behind in fourth at 29.2.
The Rams enter the game relatively healthy, with Adams (who leads the NFL with 12 touchdown receptions) practicing for the first time this week on Friday as he deals with a hamstring injury, and offensive lineman Alaric Jackson sitting out practice this week for what Rams head coach Sean McVay deemed as rest.
The Lions have seven players listed as questionable, though offensive tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder/rest) is the only one who missed practice Friday.
–Field Level Media
