7 stats and facts to know for Rams vs. Lions in Week 15

Sunday’s NFL slate features a big matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions. While the narrative surrounding the Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff still exists, this is a game between the top team in the NFC and one trying to keep its playoff hopes alive.

And though only two games separate these teams, the Rams are projected to win this marquee game at home on Sunday afternoon. By no means will it be a cakewalk, though. Games never are against Dan Campbell’s team.

Here’s a look at seven key stats and facts to know for this weekend’s game in Inglewood.

Rams are 1-2 vs. Lions since 2021 trade

This will be the fourth meeting between the Rams and Lions since the blockbuster trade in 2021. In the previous three games, the Lions have won two of them, one of which was the 2023 playoff game at Ford Field. They then won the season opener in 2024, which was the last time these teams met.

The Rams’ lone win over the Lions came in 2021 at home, a 28-19 victory to send Detroit to 0-7 on the year.

Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff have very similar stats since trade

Since being traded for each other nearly five years ago, Stafford and Goff have put up very similar numbers. Take a look at the comparison below.

Record

Stafford: 44-26
Goff: 47-30-1

Completion rate

Stafford: 65.9%
Goff: 68.3%

Yards per attempt

Stafford: 7.6

Yards per game

Stafford: 257.9
Goff: 259.2

TD passes

Stafford: 130

Interceptions

Stafford: 48

Stafford obviously has a Super Bowl ring that Goff is still missing, and Stafford might just win NFL MVP this season but statistically, the two quarterbacks have put up similar numbers in the last five seasons.

Lions lead the league with most points scored and fewest turnovers

No team in the NFL has scored more points or turned the ball over less than the Lions this season. That’s a recipe for success and a big reason Detroit has won eight games thus far. They’ve had just one game where they scored fewer than 13 points and seven games with 34-plus points, including three games where they scored 44 or more points.

When the Lions have scored more than 25 points this season, they’re 8-0, but they’re 0-5 when scoring 24 or fewer.

Opponents only average 3.9 yards per carry vs. Lions and Rams

Both the Rams and Lions have stout defenses against the run. They’re allowing just 3.9 yards per carry to opponents, which is tied for the fifth-lowest average in the NFL. They don’t allow very many rushing touchdowns, either; the Rams have given up just four all year, the fewest in football, and the Lions are tied for the fifth-fewest allowed with only nine.

These are two of the best backfields in football, too, but it could be tough sledding for Kyren Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, Blake Corum and David Montgomery.

Rams and Lions are equally great in the red zone

There are only two teams that have been better in the red zone than the Rams and Lions this season: the Eagles and Packers. The Rams and Lions are each scoring touchdowns on 67% of their red zone trips this season, tied for third-best in the league.

It’s primarily why they both rank in the top four in scoring this season. Where the big difference lies is on defense. The Rams have the third-best red zone defense compared to the Lions’ 23rd-ranked unit.

Both teams are top 6 in explosive play rate on offense

These two offenses sure know how to create big plays. According to Sam Hoppen of ESPN Bet, the Lions are fourth in explosive play rate (12.6%) and the Rams are sixth (12.1%). An explosive play is one that gains at least 15 yards, whether on the ground or through the air.

The Lions and Rams rank sixth and seventh, respectively, in terms of explosive pass play rate, but the Lions have the edge on the ground with an explosive rush rate of 5.8%.

Lions allow 3rd-highest rate of explosive passing plays

The Rams could find success attacking the Lions’ banged-up secondary this Sunday, a unit that has allowed the third-highest explosive pass rate in the NFL. And that was before losing Brian Branch to a torn Achilles last week.

On the flip side, Los Angeles allows explosive pass plays at the fifth-lowest rate of any team, doing an excellent job of preventing big plays through the air.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams vs. Lions: 7 stats and facts to know for Week 15

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