Former Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford will make his return to Detroit in the NFL playoffs this upcoming Sunday. Stafford will travel to Detroit on the opposing team for the first time since the Lions traded him back in 2021.
Stafford and the Rams clinched the sixth seed in the NFC after their win last week, but didn’t know who they were going to play heading into week 18. With a Cowboys win, the Lions ended up as the third seed and will host the Rams in their first home playoff game since 1994.
It’ll be an emotional game for Stafford as he spent 12 seasons with the Lions after being their first overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft. He lead them to the playoffs for the first time since 1999, but was unable to win a postseason game with Detroit. Stafford is the Lions’ all-time leading passer in numerous stats and is the best signal caller in Detroit history.
Matthew Stafford went on to win a Super Bowl with the Rams before struggling in 2022. The former Bulldogs quarterback threw for 3,965 yards and 24 touchdowns this season. After numerous offseason surgeries, many people weren’t sure if Stafford would bounce back from a subpar season. Stafford was selected for a Pro Bowl and returns to the playoffs after putting together an impressive 2023 regular season.
Stafford’s wife, Kelly, recently shared a video tribute that Stafford made for Detroit when he originally left in 2021.
Kelly Stafford, Matthew's wife, just reposted this on Instagram before they return to Detroit on Sunday night for the postseason.
It's going to be a very emotional night at Ford Field…pic.twitter.com/vXDuIhdFGu
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 8, 2024
The game is kicking off on Sunday, Jan. 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC.
