It’s another reunion with Matthew Stafford, as the former Lions franchise quarterback lines up against Detroit for the fourth time in five seasons. Back in 2021, Stafford and the Rams took the first meeting 28–19. Since then, Detroit has had the upper hand, knocking the Rams out of the 2023 playoffs and taking the 2024 season opener as well.

This time around, the stakes are high for both sides. Detroit is fighting to keep its postseason hopes alive, while Los Angeles is trying to lock down the NFC West crown. A Lions loss wouldn’t officially eliminate them, but a win would be a major boost. The Rams, meanwhile, have looked like legitimate championship contenders through most of the year.

Here’s a full breakdown of where the Rams stand entering Week 15.

Los Angeles Rams: Season Snapshot (10–3)

2025 Game Results:

W vs. Texans, 14–9

W vs. Titans, 33–19

L vs. Eagles, 33–26

W vs. Colts, 27–20

L vs. 49ers, 26–23 (OT)

W vs. Ravens, 17–3

W vs. Jaguars, 35–7

BYE

W vs. Saints, 34–10

W vs. 49ers, 42–26

W vs. Seahawks, 21–9

W vs. Buccaneers, 34–7

L vs. Panthers, 31–28

W vs. Cardinals, 45–17

Team Metrics:

4th in scoring offense

3rd in scoring defense

2nd in overall DVOA

1st in offensive DVOA (No. 1 in both passing and rushing)

3rd in defensive DVOA

24th in special teams DVOA

Stafford’s Resurgence

Questions about Matthew Stafford’s future swirled all offseason due to lingering back issues. But any talk of retirement has faded thanks to the way he’s performing. Stafford is firmly in the MVP conversation, sitting fourth in the league in passing yards (3,354) and leading the NFL with 35 touchdown passes—well ahead of Jared Goff and Dak Prescott, who are tied for second with 26.

With one Super Bowl victory already in Los Angeles, he may be pushing the Rams toward another title run.

A Loaded Supporting Cast

Stafford’s success is amplified by his receivers:

Puka Nacua: 2nd in receiving yards (1,186) and tied for the NFL lead in catches (93).

Davante Adams: NFL leader in touchdown receptions (14), on pace for a new career best.

On the ground, the Rams aren’t flashy but are highly efficient:

Kyren Williams: 952 rushing yards (8th), 8 TDs

Blake Corum: Expanded role with 550 yards and 4 TDs

Defense Backing Up the Offense

The Rams defense has complemented the offense beautifully:

Byron Young: 11 sacks (T-5th in NFL)

Jared Verse: 6 sacks in Year 2

Cobie Durant and Emmanuel Forbes: 3 interceptions each

Few teams this season look as well-rounded as Los Angeles. Their lone embarrassing loss—the Panthers upset—was quickly erased by a blowout win over Arizona. After losing to Detroit the last two years, expect Stafford and the Rams to be fired up with division implications on the line.

Injury Report

Out:

OT Rob Havenstein (IR)

TE Tyler Higbee (IR)

S Quentin Lake (IR)

CB Roger McCreary (IR)

Potential Returnees:

WR Tutu Atwell (expected to come off IR)

CB Darious Williams (tibia, status uncertain)

Compared to the banged-up Lions, the Rams are relatively healthy. Losing Havenstein and Higbee hurts, and the secondary is short-handed, but help may be on the way with Atwell returning. Williams’ status will be worth watching—if he can get back on the practice field, he has a chance to suit up.

Rams’ Greatest Strength: Their Offense

The Rams are elite on both sides of the ball, but the offense is the engine. Stafford leads the league with a 113.1 QB rating and the Rams are tied with Buffalo for the most explosive passing plays (50 gains of 20+ yards).

A major factor: the offensive line. Even without their starting right tackle, they’ve allowed only 17 sacks, tied for the fewest in the NFL. Stafford’s career low is 23, and he’s on track to shatter it.

The line is also bulldozing lanes in the run game—PFF grades them as the best run-blocking unit in football (89.4). Add in a receiving corps graded No. 2 by PFF, and the offense is complete from top to bottom.

Detroit knows how powerful an offense can be when the line dominates. That’s why L.A.’s consistency up front stands out—especially with the Lions’ protection fluctuating week to week.

Rams’ Biggest Weakness: Special Teams

Everything about this team is sharp except the kicking game.

Kick return production is below average (25.0 yards, 24th in NFL).

Field goal protection has been an issue—blocked kicks have directly cost them games (notably vs. the Eagles and 49ers).

Joshua Karty struggled early (66.7% FG), leading to his release.

Harrison Mevis has been perfect since taking over, but protection concerns remain.

Special teams is the one phase where opponents can realistically exploit the Rams.

Key Matchup: Lions’ Defense vs. Rams’ Offense

Detroit hasn’t faced an offense this complete all year. They’ve played strong passing attacks and powerful run games, but not a team excelling at both. Some might argue Dallas has the edge, but Stafford’s numbers with Adams and Nacua right now make the Rams a different kind of test.

If this game resembles the Lions–Cowboys shootout, Detroit may need another 40+ point performance to hang around. The Lions boast the league’s highest-scoring offense (30.3 PPG), but if the defense can’t steal a few possessions or force Stafford into mistakes, this could turn into a track meet.

With the Rams committing only 11 turnovers all year (t-6th fewest), takeaways will be hard to come by.

Detroit’s defensive line needs to get after Stafford—and fast. If he has time, he’ll attack a Lions secondary missing Brian Branch and potentially Kerby Joseph. Expect deep shots early and often. Stopping the run is also crucial, as L.A.’s offense thrives off play-action.