Lions Scout Rams in Playoffs: 'Hot and Dangerous,' Says Coach Dan Campbell
The Los Angeles Rams (10-7) are set to return from a one-year playoff hiatus Sunday, when they take on the Detroit Lions (12-5) at Ford Field.
Los Angeles has made the postseason six times in coach Sean McVay's seven years at the helm. It's the Lions' first trip to the playoffs in that same time span.
There are several individual storylines, headlined by the quarterbacks, as the Rams' Matthew Stafford and Lions' Jared Goff were traded for each other and additional compensation in the spring of 2021.
But not to be overlooked is the disparity in playoff history between the Lions and Rams, who've made two Super Bowl's and won the title once since Detroit's last postseason appearance.
And according to Lions coach Dan Campbell, there's no better time than the present to start similar playoff success ... which creates excitement in Detroit's third-year head coach.
“I’m excited,” Campbell said. “I think it’s a great setup. It’s good to be able to host a playoff game here against those guys. This team’s got a number of players that have been to the Super Bowl, they’ve been in it. (McVay) has done an outstanding job with them. And they’re a hot team.
“I think it’s good and it’s also – look, it’s a fresh team. It’s somebody we haven’t seen in three years, so I like that. I just kind of like the newness of it.”
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) runs against Los Angeles Rams after making a catch during the second half at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021.
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Rams have undergone significant roster turnover since their Super Bowl victory in Feb. 2022, but still have several staples from that run, including Stafford, receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
Campbell dubbed Los Angeles' offense "dangerous," sparked by its mid-zone and gap rushing attack and Stafford's downfield passing ability. Defensively, Campbell said the Rams are fundamentally sound.
Most importantly, Los Angeles is hot, winning seven of its last eight games, including four in a row heading into postseason play.
It's an undeniable challenge for the Lions, but Campbell doesn't want it any other way ... and he's eager to get rolling at 5 p.m. PST Sunday in Detroit.
“It’s been fun, but this is when it gets really fun,” Campbell said. “This is why you do it. This is why you coach, this is why you play, is for these moments right here. So, yeah, excited.”
