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The Detroit Lions host their first home playoff game in 30 years on Sunday when they and the Los Angeles Rams meet in the postseason for the first time since 1952. Both teams are riding hot streaks into the NFC Wild Card clash in what we could call the Matthew Stafford Bowl.

Here, we outline some best bets and picks for the game as well as how best to redeem great sportsbook welcome offers.

NFL Wild Card Rams vs. Lions odds preview

Detroit already has a new college football national champion team to celebrate. Now, the city looks to end the NFL’s longest playoff losing streak at nine games and over 30 years.

The Lions feature one of the NFL’s best offensive lines, not least the running back duo of David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs who combined for 24 touchdowns and nearly 2,400 all-purpose yards. Jared Goff has also struck up a profitable partnership with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

However, in the Rams, the Lions face red-hot opponents who have won seven of their last eight games. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year in LA but it’s turned into much, much more.

LA’s second-year pro Kyren Williams has averaged almost 100 yards a game, while Cooper Kupp has broken records and rookie Puka Nacua has been exceptional. On the defensive side, All-World interior lineman Aaron Donald had eight sacks in the regular season.

But it’s Stafford who is likely to be the main storyline of this showdown.

After 12 years in Motor City with no playoff victory, Stafford was traded by the Lions to the Rams for Goff in January 2021 and immediately led his new team to a Super Bowl title in 2022. Now, he makes his first appearance at Ford Field as a Ram, staring at the team that traded him away and Goff on the other side. Both QBs have enjoyed success at their new teams, with Stafford winning a championship in Los Angeles and Goff leading the Lions to their first division title in 30 years.

The storylines surrounding this game make it worth watching even regardless of how the gam itself pans out. There’s Stafford’s return, Goff vs. the coach who traded him, and the Lions hosting their first playoff game in three decades looking for a first postseason win since the early 1990s. Detroit will be hoping the season it has been waiting for doesn’t end at the hands of its former QB.

NBC has the broadcast with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.

NFL Wild Card Rams vs. Lions best bet: Over 51.15 total points (-110)

This game has the highest total of any of the weekend’s playoff games and while it’s always a risk going over on such a high number, if any Wild Card Weekend matchup can deliver, it’s this one.

Two strong, accurate, and inventive passing QBs. Two solid pass-rush defenses built on first-class talent (Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson for the Lions and three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald for the Rams). Not a top-drawer secondary in sight. And more firepower than a rifle range in attack.

The Rams have scored 26+ points in five of their nine road games this season. The over went 11-6 in Detroit’s games this season and 6-3 in the Rams’ road games, and the total ticked over this game’s set mark in eight Lions games and six Rams games.

NFL Wild Card Rams vs. Lions best bet: Lions -3 (-115 or better)

It’s a tough one, but we think the Lions will do it. Their Goff-led passing game and the blistering ground duo of Montgomery and Gibbs would trouble even the very best teams. Few opponents can match their balanced offense. The Lions have not only the second-most passing yards and fourth-most passing TDs (30) this year but also rank first in rushing TDs (27) and fifth in rushing yards.

How do the Rams stop that?

LA is allowing more than 22 points per game this season against mostly much lower-quality opposition than the Lions and ranks below average in third-down efficiency allowed, sacks, and takeaways. There’s also the fact they haven’t actually beaten many serious contenders this year. Throw in that the Lions are 6-2 at Ford Field this season while scoring over 30 points per game and outscoring opponents by almost nine points on average.

Oh, and it’ll be one of the loudest and most hostile crowds of the season with the Lions on a high, the residual effect of Michigan CFP being crowned national champs, and Stafford the villain. The Rams are dangerous and many observers’ favorite underdog pick, but the Lions are being slept on.

NFL Wild Card Rams vs. Lions player prop: Amon-Ra St. Brown over 7.5 receptions (-105 at BetMGM)

St. Brown has amassed 119 catches (joint-second in the NFL), 1,515 receiving yards (third in the NFL), and 10 TDs while going almost completely under the radar outside of Michigan, almost inexplicably left out of the Pro Bowl conversation.

He’s kicked on with a vengeance since that snub, racking up a minimum of 90 receiving yards in each of his past four games and eclipsing 100 yards in three of those. Across the Lions’ last three games, the third-year pro caught 32 of 41 targets for 452 yards and four TDs.

Here, he’s likely to be targeted early and often, as usual, particularly given that standout rookie tight end Sam LaPorta looks set to miss the game. LA’s pass defense has suffered since Jalen Ramsey’s departure and they rank bottom-third in the league in most passing defensive categories. Couple all that with the fact that Goff has put up career-high numbers in completions and passing percentage this year, and it could be a profitable day for St. Brown at a raucous Ford Field.

NFL Wild Card Rams vs. Lions best bets: How to claim your sports betting bonus, best NFL promotions

Taking advantage of one of our sportsbook welcome promos to place your bet on the game couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is follow this handy guide:

• Click one of our promo code links and sign up using our code where applicable.
• Make a first deposit of the qualifying amount through an approved method.
• Place a qualifying first bet on the market of your choice.

Once you’ve signed up and claimed your welcome bonus at your sportsbook(s) of choice, all the top sportsbooks also offer a range of ongoing bonuses, promotions, and perks for members, such as:

• Odds boosts: Receive enhanced odds on select markets.
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