In one of the most highly-anticipated games of Week 15, the Detroit Lions are set to clash with the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. They're avoiding the frigid temps in the midwest in exchange for much milder California weather, although, they wouldn't be impacted anyway thanks to Ford Field's dome.
Detroit's postseason chances can still stay alive if they lost this game, but they almost guarantee an easy path to a Wild Card spot with a victory. Their remaining schedule becomes significantly lighter after this game.
Injuries may be the only thing that holds them back, though, especially on their defense. After it seemed like safety Kerby Joseph might finally be healthy enough to go against Los Angeles, head coach Dan Campbell crushed that dream by telling reporters he could be a candidate for the IR.
That leaves the team with very limited options at safety with Brian Branch having already landed on the IR, and with Thomas Harper ruled out with a concussion.
Lions inactives for Week 15 vs. Rams
Per the team, the Lions' inactive players include guard Kayode Awosika, Harper, Joseph, and special teams rookie Dominic Lovett. Tyler Lacy, Nick Whiteside, and Mekhi Wingo are also out for this game.
After a week of question marks around whether Taylor Decker would be suiting up for the Lions, he's active and starting against the Rams. That could be huge against the Rams' tough defensive line, although there's even more fluidity at left guard thanks to Awosika's absence.
As for Los Angeles, cornerback Akhello Witherspoon will be out in addition to Stetson Bennett IV, Tanner Ingle, Jarquez Hunter, and Beaux Limmer. Witherspoon's absence is intriguing for Rams fans, who just saw the defender get back with the team after dealing with a broken scapula.
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Detroit's postseason chances lie with their record over their next four games, with three coming against NFC opponents. Two of those are against NFC North teams, with their final game potentially being what decides who gets into the final postseason spot in the conference: the Chicago Bears or the Lions.
It's also another homecoming for Jared Goff, who had one Super Bowl appearance with the Rams and was traded to Detroit back in 2021 in exchange for Matthew Stafford, who got it done for Los Angeles on the biggest stage. Both quarterbacks have been having great years, with Stafford a potential MVP candidate this season.