The first ‘Sunday Night Football’ game of the 2024 NFL season is nearly here.
And the matchup features an interesting pair of familiar foes. On one side, you have the defending NFC North champions, the Detroit Lions, who are led by quarterback Jared Goff. On the other, you have the Los Angeles Rams, led by Matthew Stafford. It was just a few years ago that these two passers were swapped for each other in a trade that has proven to be successful for both sides.
As the focus turns to the 2024 season, the Lions aren’t shying away from higher expectations, one year after they made an appearance in the NFC championship game. While Detroit eventually lost to the 49ers, the Lions have their sights set on a Super Bowl.
Here’s everything you need to know about the first ‘Sunday Night Football’ game of the 2024 NFL season:
How to watch Rams vs. Lions game on Sunday night?
The Rams-Lions game begins Sunday, September 8 at 8:20 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC. It will also be available to live stream on Peacock.
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Rams vs. Lions betting odds
The Lions (-225) are the moneyline favorite, while the Rams (+185) are the underdog. The over/under is set at 52.5 points, with the Lions favored by 4.5 points, according to BETMGM.
Spotlight on the quarterbacks: Matthew Stafford vs. Jared Goff
This is the latest iteration of an interesting storyline to watch. Jared Goff, now with the Lions, was drafted No. 1 overall in 2016 by the Rams. Matthew Stafford, now with the Rams, was drafted No. 1 overall in 2009 by the Lions. In a January 2021 trade, the Rams traded Goff and a package of draft picks to the Lions for Stafford.
Therefore, these passers are intimately familiar with their opponents and former cities. Since the trade, each quarterback has won one game against the other, though Goff may have a bit of an edge; Detroit topped the Rams last season in a wild card round playoff game that sprung the Lions onto a path to a NFC championship game appearance.
Player to watch: Rams WR Puka Nacua
Nacua burst onto the scene his rookie season, mirroring the success Los Angeles had with another shifty, possession-oriented slot receiver in Cooper Kupp. Nacua hauled in 105 passes off of 160 targets for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns. The performance earned him a second-team All-Pro nomination and a Pro Bowl appearance. It will be interesting to see how teams defend Nacua, 23, in his sophomore campaign — especially if he becomes the focus of the passing offense over Kupp.
Predictions for Sunday’s Rams-Lions game
Here are the USA TODAY Sports experts’ predictions for Sunday night’s game:
Jarrett Bell: Lions
Chris Bumbaca: Lions
Nate Davis: Lions
Tyler Dragon: Lions
Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Lions
Lorenzo Reyes: Lions