Rams vs Lions LIVE commentary: UK start time, team news and talkSPORT coverage
The LA Rams travel to face Detroit Lions in a rematch of their playoff game in the two team’s first game of the new NFL campaign tonight.
Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff will face their former sides once again after the Rams lost to the Lions in last season’s wildcard round.
Detroit picked up their first playoff win in 32 years in that meeting, with Goff now aiming to lead them through another successful campaign.
They reached the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers but were beaten in touching distance of the Super Bowl.
Meanwhile, Stafford is aiming to lead LA further into the playoffs this season after being knocked out early last term.
And first up, he meets Goff for the third time with each quarterback winning one meeting each so far.
LA Rams vs Detroit Lions: talkSPORT coverage
This opening weekend NFL clash will take place on Sunday, September 8.
The game will take place at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
It is scheduled to get underway at 8:20pm local time but at 1:20am on Monday morning UK time.
talkSPORT 2 will have live coverage of all of the action.
To listen to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream. Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Sky Sports will also be broadcasting the game live on Sky Sports Action.
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LA Rams vs Detroit Lions: Team news
Cooper Kupp has been troubled with injuries over the past two seasons but will be hoping he can avoid any time on the sidelines this time around.
The main concerns for the Rams are Rob Havenstein and Puka Nacua with the former only playing a limited part in their Monday practice.
Nacua has been suffering with a knee issue but looks set to be fit for the opener.
As for the Lions, three players have had their fitness listed as questionable.
Tight end Sam LaPorta has a hamstring issue but he is not expected to miss the first game of the new NFL season.
It’s the same for Jahmyr Gibbs while Ifeatu Melifonwu could potentially be sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
LA Rams vs Detroit Lions: What has been said?
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell is looking forward to getting their NFL season underway.
“It doesn’t get any better than this, it really doesn’t,” Campbell said earlier this week.
“The hardest thing is that we’ve still got seven days to go, but I’m excited, the staff is excited and so are the players, and I know our fans are ready to roll.”
He continued: “[Sean McVay] altered a little bit of how they [Rams] traditionally played last year, they have a little bit more of a downhill approach.
“That got some hits off Stafford and let him do what he does best, which is a winning recipe.
“We absolutely need to be beefed up and ready to go up front.”