New Matthew Stafford documentary shows return and loss to Detroit Lions in playoffs

Matthew Stafford knew what was coming when he returned to face the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2023 playoffs.

In a documentary feature produced by the Los Angeles Rams titled "Matthew Stafford: Locked In," the former Lions franchise quarterback for 12 seasons said he wasn't expecting a warm welcome coming back to Detroit because he knew the fanbase's passion and desire to win in the playoffs. The documentary will air on Rams’ channels and NFL Network on Thursday at 8 p.m.

"People are like, 'Oh they are going to give you an ovation or a video on the board,'" Stafford said in the documentary. "I'm like, 'Guys I know what I'm about to get from these people. They love their football, they love their Lions.'"

The 43-minute documentary focuses on Stafford's life as an NFL quarterback while balancing being a father of four and a husband. It goes through Rams' strong finish to the season, where they finished 7-1 over the last two months to secure a wild-card spot and a chance to square off with the Lions and Jared Goff, the other quarterback involved in the trade in 2021.

The documentary mainly focuses on the Rams' season from Week 15 onward, showing the Rams' final push to the playoffs and the feelings about a looming matchup with the Lions.

The movie builds to a climax of the Stafford family returning to Detroit for the first time for the playoff matchup. Matthew Stafford and his wife Kelly talked about what the city of Detroit meant to them as a couple who started a family there and were involved in the community through things like philanthropic efforts with organizations like SAY Detroit.

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"It was 12 years in Detroit where I felt like we made a lasting impact on the community," Matthew Stafford said. "Definitely did some stuff that we're really proud of and it is still there and still ongoing."

Kelly Stafford said: "Being back in a place where you spent 12 years and you had all your children and we had a lot of big things happen there, including my surgery, where I felt like that city really rallied behind me. The feelings of being back in a place like that are hard to control."

The Lions-Rams playoff matchup was the first time Matthew Stafford or his family have been at Ford Field since his last game before the trade. Matthew Stafford described the feeling of walking into the familiar building as a visitor as odd, from using the visitor's entrance and having to do security required for the road team.

The documentary shows Matthew Stafford going through his normal pre-game routine and making the walk out of the tunnel, where he was met with a wave of resounding boos. Matthew Stafford, who was mic'd up during the game, expected it.

"Yeah c'mon, bring that s—" Matthew Stafford said as he ran out of the tunnel listening to the boos.

It then cut to a sitdown interview with him, where he said, "They booed the s— out of me which was cool."

Kelly said that hearing the boos gave her final closure in the trade and move and Matthew Stafford felt motivated to put on a show to disappoint the crowd.

"It fired me up to go out there and try to go for 400 and a bunch of touchdowns and let them know what they're missing," Matthew Stafford said.

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The documentary briefly flashed Goff while NBC announcers were billing the matchup as the two former No. 1 overall picks traded for each other now facing off. Rams head coach Sean McVay said he was "tremendously grateful" for Goff's time in L.A., but is happy with Matthew Stafford.

After the buildup, the highlights of the game began. The Lions jumped out to a 14-3 lead in the first half and a 21-17 lead at half. Detroit added a field goal on the first possession of the second half but didn't score again. The defense held the Rams to two field goals in the final 20 minutes to win 24-23 for the franchise's first postseason win in 32 years.

Matthew Stafford is the focus, however, so it showed the magnificent throws he pulled off and the injuries he suffered throughout the game. He cut his throwing hand on Alim McNeill's helmet and re-injured his ribs, a nagging injury for him, after he fell on top of the ball and when Aidan Hutchinson flattened him. Through it all, cameras show Kelly and the Stafford family's reaction as he took the beating and still delivered 367 yards and two touchdowns.

The final moments of the documentary show Matthew Stafford shaking hands with Goff and saying the Lions had a great team, before he walks off into the Ford Field tunnel to hug Frank Ragnow, where they say they missed each other. The former Lions quarterback ends by saying he still has plenty left he wants to accomplish, mainly winning another Super Bowl.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Matthew Stafford talks return to play Detroit Lions in new Rams doc