After a tumultuous season, the Detroit Lions have extinguished their 32-year playoff win drought, winning their first postseason game in over three decades against none other than the quarterback who holds the Lions’ franchise records for most passing yards and most passing TDs, Matthew Stafford and his current team, the LA Rams. While this was the first time Stafford returned to Detroit for a matchup against his former team since being traded three years ago, he certainly wasn’t welcomed back as a hometown hero when it came time to kickoff; one local bar even went so far as to outright ban “Stafford” jerseys from being worn on gameday, saying they wouldn’t serve anybody wearing one. Despite playing the role of villain in his return to Motor City, Stafford was unable to upset the Lions, who would go on to win the game 24-23 over the Rams.
What’s next for the Detroit Lions?
Now, as a result of the Cowboys losing their matchup against the Greenbay Packers, in a twist of poetic storytelling, or perhaps simple karma, the Lions have a home-field advantage for round two of the NFL playoffs! You may remember when the Lions and Cowboys played back in Week 17 and the Lions’ winning play was overturned as a result of a ref’s error, leading to a Lions loss, well at the time this loss meant that the Dallas Cowboys would secure home-field advantage throughout the first two round of the playoffs. WELL, NOT ANYMORE! Some say that justice is a dish best served at home, which is exactly what the Lions get as they now have home-field advantage for round 2 of the NFL playoffs and the Dallas Cowboys season is over.
The Lions are officially on to the second round of the NFL playoffs, where they will be taking on the winner of today’s Eagles vs. Buccaneers game at Ford Field next weekend.