Rams vs. Lions wild card playoff live updates: Score, highlights, biggest plays

For the first time in 30 years, the Detroit Lions will be hosting a playoff game, and they’ll be welcoming an old friend in Matthew Stafford, who will bring his Los Angeles Rams into Ford Field in the wild-card matchup.

After winning its first NFC North title in franchise history, Detroit and its high-powered offense are back in the playoffs, but are looking for more than just an appearance; they enter Sunday night with the league’s longest playoff-win drought. On the other side, Los Angeles has been one of the hottest teams in the second half of the season, and with a balanced offense, look to replicate the same magic that led them to winning Super Bowl 56.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) pulls away from a Los Angeles Rams defender during the first half.

USA TODAY Sports will bring you the latest updates, scores, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the Rams-Lions wild-card playoff game. Follow the action from Detroit:

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Rams vs. Lions score

• Rams: 17
• Lions: 21

First quarter

Lions touchdown (9:30) — David Montgomery, 1-yard run (Michael Badgley extra point)

Rams field goal (4:26) — Brett Maher, 24 yards

Lions touchdown (1:31) — Jahmyr Gibbs, 10-yard run (Michael Badgley extra point)

Second quarter

Rams touchdown (13:24) — Puka Nacua, 50-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Brett Maher extra point)

Lions touchdown (7:12) — Sam LaPorta, 2-yard pass from Jared Goff (Michael Badgley extra point)

Rams touchdown (4:02) — Tutu Atwell, 38-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Brett Maher extra point)

Lions 21, Rams 17: Tutu Atwell flips into end zone

The first half of trading punches continued with the Rams finding the end zone and bringing them within 21-17 4:02 until halftime.

Matthew Stafford zipped in a throw just past the outstretched arms of Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor, who dove for the pass breakup, into the hands of receiver TuTu Atwell. All Atwell had to do was turn upfield and run past the goal line, but he added a flip into the end zone for some flair.

The Rams converted a fourth down on the previous play thanks to a Stafford completion to Cooper Kupp. — Chris Bumbaca

Lions 21, Rams 10: Jared Goff finds Sam LaPorta on fourth-and-goal

Lions coach Dan Campbell saw the spot of the ball on fourth-and-1 at the 2-yard line, and offensive lineman Dan Skipper successfully reported eligible.

And the Lions cashed in the end zone again.

Jared Goff found tight end Sam LaPorta on a slant near the back of the end zone for the Lions’ third touchdown of the game to take a 21-10 lead over the Rams.

The Lions were inside the 5 and did not want to settle for a field goal, especially after the Rams scored a 50-yard touchdown on the previous drive. Detroit’s aggressiveness paid off into an 11-point lead with 7:12 left until halftime. — Safid Deen

Lions 14 Rams 10: Puka Nacua, Matthew Stafford hook up for long TD

Well, that was fast.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford found rookie receiver Puka Nacua open for a 50-yard touchdown early in the second quarter to narrow the score.

It was the response Los Angeles needed after a roaring start by the Lions in this game. Stafford is 7 of 10 for 119 yards, while Nacua has 85 yards on four catches. — Safid Deen

Lions lead 14-3 after first quarter

The Detroit Lions have a 14-3 lead over the visiting Los Angeles Rams after the first quarter of their wildcard playoff game.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff is off to a 9-of-9 start with 111 yards, leading two touchdown drives – one each for running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.

The Rams are driving to begin the second quarter, and stalled out in the red zone on their first possession, leading to a field goal.

Lions fans have also welcomed former quarterback Matthew Stafford, in his third season with the Rams, with boos in the first quarter. — Safid Deen

Lions 14, Rams 3: Jahmyr Gibbs extends Lions’ lead

Two drives, and two touchdowns by the Detroit Lions.

Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored on a 10-yard run to give Detroit a 14-3 lead with 1:31 left in the first quarter.

Gibbs had a 14-yard run on the drive, while receiver Josh Reynolds had catches of 10 and 33 yards on the drive to fuel Detroit.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff has started the game 9 for 9 with 111 yards, while Reynolds has 75 yards on four catches. — Safid Deen

Lions 7, Rams 3: Rams get field goal, Matthew Stafford booed

Matthew Stafford started the Rams’ opening drive 4-of-4 passing, but the quarterback had three straight incompletions in the red zone as the team had to settle for a short 24-yard field goal.

Rams WR Puka Nacua had two catches for 25 yards in the team’s opening drive.

Stafford, who spent his first 12 years in Detroit, was booed by the home crowd when he entered the game for the first time.  — Tyler Dragon

Lions 7, Rams 0: Detroit strikes first on opening drive

The Lions offense didn’t show any jitters in the franchise’s first home playoff game in 30 years.

Detroit moved the ball right down the field on a 10-play, 75-yard drive. Quarterback Jared Goff was a perfect 5-of-5 passing in the Lions’ opening series. Running back David Montgomery had five carries for 24 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown run up the middle to give the Lions an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter. — Tyler Dragon

Rams vs. Lions game time

• Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET

The Rams vs. Lions wild-card playoff game is set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET. The game will be held at Ford Field in Detroit.

How to watch Lions vs. Rams

• TV: NBC
• Streaming: Peacock

Betting odds for Lions vs. Rams

The Lions are favorites to defeat the Rams, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2023, including the new ESPN BET app and the Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.

• Spread: Lions (-3)
• Moneyline: Lions (-165); Rams (+140)
• Over/under: 53

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with the full slate of playoff action. You can also look ahead to the big game with the best Super Bowl betting promos.

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Predictions for Lions vs. Rams

USA TODAY Sports’ staff picks for the game:

• Lorenzo Reyes: Rams 24, Lions 21 — The Lions have waited a long time to host a playoff game, but I think this is a spot where the Rams could play spoiler. Matthew Stafford finished the regular season strong, while Detroit’s offense has slowed some. And the Rams, despite having a very young core on defense, can still generate pressure through the middle of the line, thanks to, yes, Aaron Donald, but also Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Kobie Turner.
• Tyler Dragon: Lions 27, Rams 23 — Matthew Stafford returns to Detroit to face his former team, and Jared Goff has a chance at redemption against the club that traded him. There are a lot of storylines in this one. However, the Lions haven’t hosted a playoff game in 30 years, and they don’t have a playoff victory since Jan. 5, 1992. Detroit fans are starving for some playoff success. There’s going to be a party in Motown if they win.
• Safid Deen: Lions 30, Rams 23 — Matt Stafford’s return to Detroit makes this matchup intriguing but the Lions will make it a rude homecoming for him. Dan Campbell’s crew has been waiting for this moment all season, and the Rams won’t know what hit them on Sunday night.
• Victoria Hernandez: Lions 28, Rams 24 — Despite inconsistent play in the middle of the season, Detroit proved in the end that they are a fierce force. The Rams have some playmakers, but Ford Field will be fired up with fans who need something to believe in besides the lowly Pistons. Jared Goff ultimately rains on Matthew Stafford’s homecoming parade.
• Jordan Mendoza: Rams 26, Lions 24 — This is going to be an emotional game with Matthew Stafford returning to Detroit. He’ll want to show out in front of his former crowd, and he has a good chance to do so against a suspect pass defense. The Lions want to end their playoff win drought, but Los Angeles pulls off the shocker on the road to end Detroit’s successful season.

Thanks, Packers: Lions will get second home playoff game with win over Rams

Well, look who has a chance to get the last laugh now, Dallas Cowboys.

That’s right, how about the Detroit Lions!

Why is that? Well, thanks to the Cowboys stunning blowout upset loss to the rival Green Bay Packers in the Sunday late afternoon game, the Lions are guaranteed to earn a second home playoff game next week, should they win their first postseason game in 32 years on Sunday night. — Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press

Rams vs. Lions inactives: Sam LaPorta active for Detroit

Breakout rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee), who was injured in the Lions’ regular-season finale, will play in the team’s first home playoff game in 30 years. LaPorta returned to practice on Friday and was listed as questionable heading into Sunday night’s wild-card game.

Rams’ inactive players:

• DB Jordan Fuller
• WR Tyler Johnson
• RB Zach Evans
• LB Ochaun Mathis
• LB Troy Reeder
• OL Warren McClendon Jr.

Lions’ inactive players:

• CB Steve Gilmore
• DL Charles Harris
• QB Hendon Hooker (third QB)
• DL Brodric Martin
• LB Julian Okwara
• WR Kalif Raymond

Who is Puka Nacau?

When the Los Angeles Rams visit the Detroit Lions in the wild-card round Sunday night, one of the best rookies of the NFL season will be in the national spotlight in Rams receiver Puka Nacua.

The late-round selection in the 2023 NFL draft has burst onto the scene for Sean McVay’s team, emerging as not only a top receiving option on the offense, but one of the best pass catchers in the league. — Jordan Mendoza

Matthew Stafford makes playoff return to Detroit after blockbuster trade

Sunday night’s Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions wild-card matchup has so many storylines it could be a Hollywood script.

Detroit hasn’t hosted a postseason game in 30 years. The Lions haven’t won a playoff game since Jan. 5, 1992. It’s the NFL’s longest active playoff win drought. Matthew Stafford is part of the Lions’ wretched playoff history. Stafford spent 12 years in Detroit and went 0-3 in the playoffs. Stafford’s postseason misfortune all changed on Jan. 30, 2021 — when the Lions agreed to ship him to Los Angeles in a blockbuster trade with the Rams that also sent Jared Goff to the Lions in exchange. In Stafford’s first season with the Rams, the quarterback reached the pinnacle of the sport. Meanwhile, Detroit’s postseason win drought continued. — Tyler Dragon

Eminem’s message to Matthew Stafford: You owe me

The Detroit rapper — real name Marshall Mathers — posted a video on NBC’s X feed asking the former Lions quarterback to let his former team win Sunday night vs. his current team, the Rams.

“Stafford. What’d I say?,” Eminem starts in the video, donning a No. 20 custom Barry Sanders king hooded sweatshirt. — Amy Huschka, Detroit Free Press

NFL’s longest playoff win droughts

It’s already hard enough to make the NFL playoffs, but it’s even tougher to get a win in the postseason, and for some teams, it’s been awhile since they’ve tasted a playoff victory.

With one playoff win since the 1957 NFL championship game, it should come as no surprise that the Lions own the league’s longest playoff win drought. — Jordan Mendoza

Explaining the Curse of Bobby Layne on the Detroit Lions

The Curse of Bobby Layne has been engrained in the folklore of the Detroit Lions for more than 60 years as a way to explain their unmatched ability to fail.

Layne, who helped lead the Lions to three NFL championships during his tenure from 1950-58, famously cursed the Lions with bad luck after the organization traded him one season after its last championship in 1957.

The curse was never confirmed by anyone else but as the Lions have lived up to the prophecy with only one playoff win since 1957, the story has become entrenched into the fabric of Detroit sports history. — Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press

Rams’ playoff history

The Rams are 26-27 in playoff games. The franchise has appeared in five Super Bowls, winning two (Super Bowl XXXIV and Super Bowl LVI). The Super Bowl 56 win was the Rams’ last playoff appearance. Prior to the Super Bowl era, the Rams won two NFL championships (1945 and 1951).

Lions’ playoff history

The Lions are 7-13 in playoff games. The team is among four teams that have never appeared in a Super Bowl and 12 team that have never won a Super Bowl. The Lions’ playoff win came during the 1991 season, when Detroit defeated Dallas in the divisional playoff round. Prior to the Super Bowl era, the Lions won four NFL championships (1935, 1952, 1953 and 1957).

How Lions’ last NFL playoff win and ultra-rare triumph shaped one USA TODAY reporter

The Detroit Lions have won one NFL playoff game in the Super Bowl era.

I was there at the Silverdome 32 years ago, covering the game for the Lansing State Journal as a sidebar and notebook reporter – just a 21-year-old college student.

Looking back 30-plus years, receiving the responsibility to cover Lions games at the Silverdome was as surreal as it was motivational as it was educational as it was preposterous. — Jeff Zillgitt

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rams vs. Lions wild card playoff live updates: Score, highlights, biggest plays