Here's What Matthew Stafford Said About Returning To Detroit To Play Lions

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions will host their first ever playoff game at Ford Field on Sunday after winning their first division title in 30 years, and they'll see a familiar face on the other side.

Former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford will return to Detroit to play the Lions for the first time since he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams for quarterback Jared Goff and picks in 2021. Stafford and the Rams won the Super Bowl that year.

While Stafford didn't win the NFC North title during his tenure with the Lions, he did lead the Lions to three playoff appearances and set all major franchise passing records. With that said, he knows Ford Field will be crazy Sunday Night.

"The opportunity happens to be in Detroit, which is fun for me on a personal level. ... I know it's going to be rocking there. Haven't had a playoff game there about 30 years or whatever it is. So it'll be a great atmosphere. It'll be a tough task for us, but definitely excited," Stafford told ESPN.

"It will be fun to see some of the people that I haven’t seen in a while, that I know are still around the building," Stafford added. "And obviously it’ll be a different scenario and won’t be wearing their colors. But still, appreciate so many of the people there that gave me my start in this league and took care of me for 12 years, too."

The last Lions playoff victory came in 1991 when they defeated the Dallas Cowboys at the Pontiac Silverdome. It remains the franchises' only playoff win in the Super Bowl era. Kickoff is scheduled for around 8:20 p.m. Sunday on NBC.