Current:Home > FinanceDetroit Lions host Los Angeles Rams in first Sunday Night Football game of 2024 NFL season -Trailblazer Capital Learning
Detroit Lions host Los Angeles Rams in first Sunday Night Football game of 2024 NFL season
View
Date:2025-04-17 18:26:47
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.
PLAY TO WIN $5K: USA TODAY's Pro Football Survivor Pool is free to enter. Sign up now!
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
veryGood! (71)
Related
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Quincy Jones, music titan who worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, dies at 91
- Jenn Tran’s Brother Weighs in on Her Relationship with DWTS Partner Sasha Farber
- Taylor Swift plays goodbye mashups during last US Eras Tour concert
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Juju Watkins shined in her debut season. Now, she and a loaded USC eye a national title.
- NFL trade deadline: Ranking 10 best players who still might be available
- RHOBH's Teddi Mellencamp & Edwin Arroyave's Date of Separation Revealed in Divorce Filing
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Wisconsin Republicans look to reelect a US House incumbent and pick up an open seat
Ranking
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Today's fresh apples could be a year old: Surprising apple facts
- Saquon Barkley reverse hurdle: Eagles' RB wows coach, fans with highlight reel play
- Ice-T, Michael Caine pay tribute to Quincy Jones
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- A former Six Flags park is finally being demolished after Hurricane Katrina’s devastation
- Saints fire coach Dennis Allen amid NFL-worst seven-game losing streak
- Kim Kardashian wears Princess Diana pendant to LACMA Art+Film Gala
Recommendation
Trump's 'stop
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's Baby Rocky Gets Priceless Birthday Gift From Sylvester Stallone
Appeals court says Arizona should release list of voters with unverified citizenship
Make your own peanut butter cups at home with Reese's new deconstructed kits
Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
IRS raises 401(k) contribution limits, adds super catch-up for 60-63 year olds in 2025
Saints fire coach Dennis Allen after seventh straight loss. Darren Rizzi named interim coach
NFL flexes Colts vs. Jets out of Week 11 'SNF' schedule, moving Bengals vs. Chargers in