The Los Angeles Rams' ability to hold down Aidan Hutchinson will be a determining factor in winning and losing

It's another big-time game with playoff implications, fueled by all the Lions-Rams storylines, so here are three burning questions ahead of Sunday's kickoff in LA.

Safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch are out for Sunday's game vs. the Rams, while Shane Zylstra could be back.

The Detroit Lions learned many of the official dates for the 2026 NFL season as they try to salvage a playoff push for this campaign. Below are those important dates, along with insights on many of them as provided by the NFL. Jan. 5 — Clubs may begin signing free agent players for the 2026 season, including players from the CFL.

But like any other week, there are certain players and positions that the Lions will lean on in their weekly game plan. Players that present matchup issues for the Rams or be one of the “firefighters” who extinguish some of the bigger problems that the Rams pose.

Goff, now in his fifth season with Detroit, has played more games as a Lion (78) than he did as a Ram (69). He’s long been ready to move past the trade and the emotions that came with it, especially since he and the Lions expelled their trauma in the playoff win against L.A.

The dual-threat runner will be tested in this Week 15 contest, facing a Rams rush defense that has allowed the fewest TDs in the NFL this season (four). Los Angeles has also permitted the 11th-fewest yards on the ground in 2025 (1,345).

The Detroit Lions kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Dallas Cowboys last Thursday, and they hope to put those postseason aspirations into overdrive with a win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. They also hope to get some help around the league.