Rooting For Redemption: Matthew Stafford Could Lead LA Rams To Where Detroit Lions Can’t Go

My genuine Detroit Lions fandom experienced a rebirth and eventual demise through the representation of Matthew Stafford.

On Sunday, he will face off against the Honolulu blue and silver, donning a different shade of blue that is evidently more impactful.

In addition to that, the location happens to be one of the finest cities worldwide. The radiant California sun will grace the extraordinary SoFi Stadium, one of the pioneering indoor/outdoor sports complexes, which leaves a remarkable impression when viewed on television.

Stafford and his family appear to be genuinely content, liberated, and perfectly settled in Los Angeles with the Rams, a team that is undeniably poised to compete in the Super Bowl.

According to both Michigan sportsbooks and anyone with vision, it is highly probable that the 0-6 Lions will be defeated this weekend.

Stafford will finally experience the satisfaction of dominating his former team, just as he has witnessed numerous other quarterbacks do over the past twelve years.

…And I will be present to witness this surreal spectacle unfold.

Detroit Lions at LA Rams: NFL Week 7 Odds

Misery of Lions fans finally matters on national stage

Being a fan of the Lions is truly incomparable.

In Detroit, we have managed to stay relatively unnoticed. Unlike other teams in prominent national markets, like the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, the struggles of our fan base have not received as much attention. Even the collective suffering of Cleveland sports fans took center stage in the Midwest until LeBron James brought them a championship.

However, those curses arrived, lingered for several decades, and eventually departed.

Being a Detroit sports fan used to be quite enjoyable, at least until the last decade. I have been fortunate enough to witness numerous championships won by my teams, along with several thrilling playoff runs.

For the past decade, there has been a lack of noteworthy events, and the Lions have consistently failed to produce anything of value. Their performance has never reached a level worthy enough to make enduring the unpleasant aspects worthwhile.

It’s gratifying to see our recognition grow. Various experts, including talking heads on ESPN debates, Sunday NFL pre-game shows, prominent podcast hosts, and influential figures on social media, have all expressed their shared sentiment about the hardships endured by fans of this franchise.

Having a genuine football team here is what truly matters. It’s not much of a consolation otherwise.

In light of the Matt Millen era, one may ask: How disastrous would it have been to place bets on the Lions?

Is Matthew Stafford great? Will we ever find out?

Barry Sanders, our unmatched talent, attempted without success, followed by the arrival of Calvin Johnson in 2007, who brought with him great potential.

However, due to a constant rotation of subpar quarterbacks spanning several decades, it was evident that the Lions would continue to stagnate until they found a suitable signal caller.

Following a grueling 0-16 season in 2008, fate smiled upon the Lions when they had the opportunity to select a highly skilled and promising franchise quarterback at No. 1 in the 2009 draft. Matthew Stafford, hailing from Georgia, was the chosen one.

The undeniable arm talent remained constant. The abundance of ability, toughness, and Johnson were the ones who would lead us to success. They were the ones who could push us beyond our limits.

However, there was a constant void that could never be filled.

Perhaps it was the external elements that Stafford had no power over. The consistency of the run game and defense was always lacking. The front office and coaching staffs never reached championship-level standards. Perhaps it is simply impossible to achieve victory with the ingrained Lions’ culture.

Could there have been a flaw in Stafford’s leadership style or internal issues that resulted in him spending 12 seasons in Detroit without winning a division title or a playoff game?

Despite the fact that all of these elements contained some truth, fans engaged in debates as if one side had to be the definitive answer.

The trade that took place in the previous offseason, sending Jared Goff and several NFL Draft picks to the Lions in exchange for a move to Los Angeles, appears to be a beneficial outcome for both teams in the long run. This trade was expected to finally settle either of the prevailing narratives.

Early Rams’ success is nice, but doesn’t tell the whole story

So far, so good.

Stafford’s purpose in joining the Rams extended beyond winning games in October, particularly those against the Lions.

As the Rams head into Week 7, the real challenges lie ahead. Their chances of winning the Super Bowl, approximately 9/1 according to various sportsbooks, may fluctuate based on personal preferences.

However, within the hearts of many Lions fans, there exists an unwavering belief that it is an absolute certainty.

The Same Old Lions mindset, a pessimistic belief that has been consistently validated, suggests that it is highly likely for Stafford to achieve success in major games immediately after departing from Detroit.

If it doesn’t happen this year, it will happen very soon.

In the meantime, the Lions will resume their position at the top of the draft, aiming to discover the next Stafford, who has the potential to achieve impressive statistics but lacks notable victories on the scoreboard.

Chuck Long, Andre Ware, and Joey Harrington form the foundation of the floor.

Could a black swan event fix the Lions?

Jamie Samuelsen and Bob Wojnowski, a Detroit News columnist, engaged in discussions about black swan events for several years in Detroit.

These occurrences are unexpected, singular, and exclusively pertain to the Lions.

Certainly, Justin Tucker’s incredible feat of hitting a 66-yard field goal off the crossbar for Baltimore this year is undeniably remarkable.

In recent times, sports curses have been broken only when extraordinary events precede them.

In order to advance, the Red Sox had to conquer a daunting 3-0 disadvantage against their ultimate rival. Similarly, the Cubs had to surrender a homerun in the late innings of Game 7 and endure a rain delay to finally put an end to their curse.

Cleveland needed LeBron.

Perhaps Stafford’s victory in the Super Bowl, right after departing from the Lions, in glamorous LA no less, could be the unexpected catalyst that propels everything towards a brighter future.

It’s highly unlikely, but we find solace in witnessing a deserving Detroit soldier rise to the top, which is satisfying for us.

Detroit fans rooting for Stafford to get it done

Despite the fact that Stafford’s wins with the Rams are actually detrimental to the draft position of the picks used to acquire him, Detroit fans are overwhelmingly supporting him this season.

On Wednesday, the quarterback openly acknowledged this fact during his comments to the media.

Stafford commented that he understood how people might easily have a different perspective. He also noted that it speaks volumes about those individuals when they derive joy from the achievements of former players who are no longer associated with their organization.

“That’s the type of individuals found in Detroit.”

It’s not just about being generous. We need something to support on Sundays in Detroit.

Last week, my friend from Michigan who now lives in California texted me about having an extra ticket for Sunday’s 4:05 p.m. game. I considered it worthwhile to take a flight and join him.

Visit Los Angeles. Explore the beautiful coastline. Witness our alleged savior once again.

In true Rob Lowe fashion, I’ll opt for an NFL shirt instead of Lions gear when I’m away to avoid any potential embarrassment.

However, I will be supporting No. 9, the individual who once instilled hope in us through his promise, only to disappoint us (potentially permanently) with his failure.

If his redemption in the sun can bring salvation to all of us, then