The Los Angeles Rams are positioned to make a statement in one of the most crucial matchups of the 2025 NFL season. Sitting at 10-3 and holding the top seed in the NFC West, the Rams face the Detroit Lions in a clash that will define the playoff trajectory for both teams. With Matthew Stafford leading an explosive offense that features the dynamic duo of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and a defense that has allowed just 0.270 points per play against opponents—the best defensive efficiency metric in football—the Rams are primed for a dominant performance.​

The Lions enter this showdown decimated by injuries, including the absence of All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph and tight end Sam LaPorta. Meanwhile, the Rams' defense has been nothing short of elite, surrendering the fewest adjusted yards-per-target in the league and maintaining a formidable pass rush. Here are three bold predictions for how the Rams will dominate this Week 15 battle at SoFi Stadium.​​

Matthew Stafford Throws 4+ Touchdowns Against His Former Team

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks on before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Rams' MVP candidate will have a career night against the Lions' injury-ravaged secondary. With Davante Adams leading the entire NFL in touchdown catches and Puka Nacua coming off the best game of his career against Arizona, Stafford will exploit a Detroit defense that has allowed the fifth-most adjusted receiving yards per game to opposing wideouts.

The Lions simply lack the defensive personnel to contain the Rams' elite passing attack, particularly with key injuries in their secondary. Expect Stafford to put on a masterclass performance, surpassing the four-touchdown mark as he once again proves why he's an MVP contender this season. The former Lion returns home with vengeance, targeting his elite weapons repeatedly against a vulnerable secondary.​​

Kyren Williams and Blake Corum Combine for 150+ Rushing Yards and 2+ Touchdowns

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The Rams' dual-threat running back committee will impose their will on the Lions' defense on the ground. This dynamic duo has emerged as one of the best rushing tandems in football, and against a Lions defense that struggles to consistently tackle for losses, they will have a field day. Detroit has difficulty generating tackles for loss on rushing attempts, and the Rams' running game will expose this weakness relentlessly.

With Blake Corum and Kyren Williams carrying the load, the Rams will establish dominance in the trenches, accumulating over 150 combined rushing yards and crossing the goal line multiple times. This ground game will control the tempo, keep Detroit's offense off the field, and create additional scoring opportunities through play-action bootlegs.​

The Rams Defense Holds the Lions to Under 20 Points

Sean McVay's elite defensive unit will stifle Jared Goff and the Lions' high-powered offense in this critical divisional battle. The Rams' defense has proven to be the most dominant statistical unit in football, allowing just 0.270 points per play and maintaining superior defensive metrics across the board. Detroit's defense may have rolled against Dallas, but the Rams' front seven and secondary represent an entirely different level of competition.

With Byron Young continuing his elite pass rush production and Cobie Durant providing lockdown coverage in the secondary, the Rams will force Goff into uncomfortable situations throughout the game. The Lions' injuries on defense have depleted their team, but more importantly, the Rams' defensive prowess will suffocate an offense that, while talented, will struggle against this elite unit. Expect the Rams to hold Detroit to a single-digit scoring performance in the second half, putting this game away early and reminding the entire NFC why they're the clear favorites for the number one seed.