The Lions have waited three decades to host a playoff game. For narrative purposes, there might not be a better opponent than the one they are getting on Sunday night as playoff football returns to Detroit.
Also returning to Detroit is Matthew Stafford, who brought respectability back to a Lions franchise that drafted him at its lowest moment. Stafford spent 12 years as the Lions’ quarterback before a 2021 trade to Los Angeles that felt more like a show of mercy to a franchise pillar.
The Rams will never have any reason to regret that deal. Stafford led the team to a Super Bowl win in his first season, and he’s bounced back from an injury-riddled 2022 to cement himself as one of the NFL’s most reliable quarterbacks again this season.
The Lions, though, have come out better than most expected. Jared Goff, thrown into the deal as a potential bridge quarterback for the Lions, has instead turned into their franchise signal-caller, and GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell have built up a talented roster around him.
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No one could blame Stafford or Goff for going through some emotions on Sunday night, but they will have to quickly shift their focus to football. The Lions are holding onto legitimate Super Bowl hopes in the NFC after a 12-win season, while the Rams were among the NFL’s hottest teams to close out the year and boast a dynamic receiving corps led by Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
The circumstances are wildly different for each franchise, however. The Rams are two years removed from a championship, while the Lions are facing the pressure of a 32-year playoff win drought.
MORE: Watch Lions vs. Rams live with Fubo (free trial)
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Lions vs. Rams in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs. Follow along with the latest updates below.
Lions vs. Rams score
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final | |
| Rams | |||||
| Lions |
Lions vs. Rams live updates, results from NFL wild-card playoffs
Updates will begin at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Lions vs. Rams start time
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 14
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
The NFL playoffs continue with Lions vs. Rams from Ford Field at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 14.
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What channel is Lions vs. Rams on today?
- National TV: NBC (U.S.) | TSN+ (Canada)
- Live stream: Peacock, Fubo (U.S.) | DAZN (in Canada)
Lions vs. Rams will be broadcast by NBC, representing the network’s second game of the weekend and third when including Saturday’s exclusive Peacock broadcast. Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (color analyst) will be on the call from Ford Field.
For those who prefer streaming, the game can be found on Peacock and Fubo, which offers a free trial.
