Los Angeles Times

Bill Plaschke: Matthew Stafford lost the battle but wins the war in his duel with Jared Goff

DETROIT — He was the prodigal bum. They didn't throw him a parade, they marched all over him. They didn't pop champagne, they uncorked sprays of pain. Eminem cursed at him. Barry Sanders led cheers against him. Fans screamed so loud he once tripped over his feet as if knocked backward by the boos. Matthew Stafford made his first appearance at Detroit's Ford Field on Sunday since a 12-year ...

DETROIT — He was the prodigal bum.

They didn't throw him a parade, they marched all over him. They didn't pop champagne, they uncorked sprays of pain.

Eminem cursed at him. Barry Sanders led cheers against him. Fans screamed so loud he once tripped over his feet as if knocked backward by the boos.

Matthew Stafford made his first appearance at Detroit's Ford Field on Sunday since a 12-year career with his beloved Lions ended in 2021, when he was traded to the Rams, and, oh man.

As homecomings go, it was one bloody boutonniere.

The Rams lost the NFC wild-card playoff game to the quarterback they

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