Of all of the super wild card matchups going down this weekend, there might not be one with better storylines coming into it than the nightcap on Sunday between the Lions and Rams. Not only is the game expected to be quite competitive (Vegas has the Lions favored by the customary at-home three points), but Matthew Stafford’s return to Detroit in the Lions’ first home playoff game in 30 years is straight out of a storybook – and Jared Goff’s first playoff game with Detroit also happens to be against the very team that traded him away. It’s set up to be a high-scoring showdown, and both teams are trending in the right direction to take what looks like an offensive explosion waiting to happen on paper and make it a reality:
The matchup between Detroit and Los Angeles is currently listed as the game with the highest over/under on total points for the weekend at 51.5, with both teams having an implied total of over three touchdowns. The Lions have been especially vulnerable on the backend of their defense, while the Rams have also been less than pristine on their own – which has translated into some big games for both teams.
In each of the Lions’ past four home games, the over on total points scored has cashed four straight times dating back to Week 11 against the Bears. And as if that wasn’t enough, in each of the Rams’ last four road games, the over on total points has cashed four straight times, as well. With the Lions hosting the Rams and neither team having it all figured out on the defensive side of the ball, the potent offensive attacks of both teams are poised for a shootout in the opening round of the 2023 playoffs.