Matthew Stafford spent the first 12 seasons of his NFL career with the Detroit Lions. Now, they stand in the way of Stafford and his new team, the Los Angeles Rams, from advancing in the NFC playoff bracket.

With a 21-20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18, the Rams slotted themselves into the NFC's sixth seed. The Lions, by virtue of the Dallas Cowboys winning in Week 18, ended the season as the three-seed.

Meaning Stafford and the Rams will face off against his old team in the first round of the NFC playoffs, as noted by ESPN's Field Yates.

Matthew Stafford

Drafted first overall by Detroit in the 2009 NFL Draft, Stafford started 165 games for the Lions. He threw for over 45,000 yards and 282 touchdowns in his time with the team.

But success was elusive, and the team made the playoffs just three times in 12 years with Stafford under center. The team went 0-3 in those games.

As Stafford got older and injuries piled up, he decided he wanted to chase a Super Bowl ring elsewhere. The Lions agreed to do right by their franchise quarterback. In March of 2021, they shipped him off to Los Angeles.

Stafford vs. Goff, redux

The trade made between the Rams and Lions could probably be considered a win-win. Stafford famously led the Rams to a victory in Super Bowl LVI in their home stadium. With that one win, the cost for the Rams was justified.

Originally seen as a throw-in, the Lions got back Jared Goff and have watched him blossom. He's posted a record of 23-23-1 as the Lions' QB, and followed up a 9-8 season in 2022 with a 12-5 campaign in 2023 that ended with them atop the NFC North for the first time since 1993.

Now, the quarterbacks who were swapped for one another get to do battle in the playoffs. Each with a chance to end his former team's season.