After 120 days, the NFL regular season has finally concluded, bringing upon the playoffs where all eyes are on the Super Bowl–however, that’s not the only entertainment the playoffs provide. They are a stage for dramatic storylines, personal rivalries, and emotional returns. This season, two narratives stand out: former Kansas City Chief Super Bowl champion wide receiver and future Hall of Famer Tyreek Hill returns to Arrowhead Stadium, and former Lions quarterback of 12 years, now Rams 2021 Super Bowl champion Matthew Stafford returns to Ford Field.
The Dolphins star wide receiver was traded in 2022, once a pivotal figure in the Chiefs offensive juggernaut, is set to face his former teammates. Hill’s departure from Kansas City was a major offseason talking point, and his return in the playoffs adds a layer of intrigue and intensity. The match up is not just a test of skill but also of loyalty and emotion, as Hill battles against a team he once helped lead to Super Bowl glory. This year Hill has been the Dolphins number one option on offense, leading the NFL in receiving yards with 1,799 and 13 touchdowns. The Chiefs won the Super Bowl last year without Hill, but evidently, it appears they may need him more than they had thought with the lowest ranked offense in the Mahomes era with it being 9th, while they have the number 2 total defense in the NFL.
Matthew Stafford’s journey in Detroit can be described as one of personal excellence amongst team turmoil. His move to LA was a fresh start for him to change the way the NFL media looked at him – as if he couldn’t win the big games, and that he was an overrated stat padder. On the other hand, people said he was never given a proper opportunity to succeed with lack of talent and defensive help; the move gave him the opportunity to prove everyone wrong.
In 2021, the LA Rams went out and traded for Stafford. In return, the Lions got former Rams 2016 1st overall draft pick Jared Goff and three other draft picks. In the 2018-2019 season, Goff made it to the Super Bowl but lost to the Patriots and was deemed not enough to get over the hump. In 2021, the same year as the trade, the Rams were the 4th seed in the NFL playoffs and went on to win the Super Bowl for the first time since 1999 with Stafford leading the charge.
Stafford and Goff now face a new challenge to play against his former team. Stafford in his old stadium as the underdog, once again looking to silence the doubters, and Goff to show he was the man for the job. This game is more than just a playoff game, it is a clash between past and present for Stafford.
