Ever since the Detroit Lions traded Matthew Stafford in 2021, the franchise hasn't been able to shake their former quarterback in important head-to-head matchups.
Not only did Stafford meet up against Detroit in the 2021 regular season, he competed against them in the Wild Card round in 2023, and again in the season opener of the 2024 season. While each of those games were exciting and significant, perhaps no contest will be as big as 2025's.
In Week 15, the 10-3 Rams play host to the 8-5 Lions in a game that has major regular season significance for the playoff picture. With a win, Detroit will continue their climb back after a difficult November. It's not going to be easy going against Stafford and the Rams, however.
This season, Stafford has been impressive, leading the league with a whopping 35 touchdown passes. Aidan Hutchinson understands what the Lions are up against, but isn't worried about the matchup because he knows the Lions have been preparing to unleash a solid defensive plan of their own on Los Angeles.
"He's having a hell of a year, Every year we play him, no matter what his statistics are, he's a dangerous quarterback. We're going to get this game plan going, execute it, and the plan is to come out of there with a win and be on our way. But playing against a quarterback like this, there's a reason he's been doing it for so long at a high level. It's because he's great."
In his career, Hutchinson has registered one sack and five tackles in two games against the Rams. It will be incumbent on the entire defensive line to heat up the pocket, but specifically important that Hutchinson has a fantastic game in order to lead the charge and make Stafford uncomfortable up front.
Hutchinson not worried about extra importance of game against Rams
For the Lions, there is very little margin of error at this point. If Detroit finds a way to win out, they will have a great shot at a high seed in the NFC playoffs. Every loss, however, subsequently hurts their chances of making the postseason thanks to a very crowded field ahead of them.
With the Rams currently above Detroit, that gives this particular matchup some added spice. It's another must-win for the Lions, even if the players would rather not label it as such. Hutchinson, for his part, did his best to downplay the importance of the contest.
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"You'll probably keep asking me (the importance) every game we play, because it's just kind of that situation we have. Even if circumstances were different, every game is a monumental game when you're making a playoff push. So, it's hard to put one (above another). Last week, everything was on Dallas. Now, (it's Los Angeles). Every week as a player, you take your time to prepare the best way you can for that game and then you go out there Sunday and show what you've been prepping."
For the Lions, Hutchinson's outlook is a good one. In Week 14, the Lions were backed in a corner. Had they lost to the Cowboys, it would have been effectively lights out on the season. This game could help them take a leap in the NFC standings, but a loss wouldn't eliminate them. With that in mind, the Lions can play loose and see what happens.
Hutchinson knows the defense will be prepared, which is why he isn't exactly sweating the contest against Stafford, even if it will represent a major challenge to the Lions.