After an eventful offseason and summer, the Los Angeles Rams officially begin the 2024 NFL season with a Week 1 matchup against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.

It marks the teams’ first meeting since this past January, when the Lions edged out a narrow 24-23 win over the Rams in the NFC Wild Card round.

Both teams’ rosters look a little different now, but they are once again expected to be legitimate contenders in the NFC this season.

Since Sean McVay was hired as head coach, the Rams are 6-1 in season openers, with their only loss coming against the Buffalo Bills during the 2022 season. L.A. also owns a 2-1 record against Detroit since McVay took the helm in 2017.

Perhaps the biggest storyline is Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff facing off for the third time since the blockbuster trade in 2021.

Stafford and the Rams took the first meeting with a 28-19 win over the Lions in Week 7 of the 2021 NFL season. Goff then led the Lions to a nail-biting victory over the Rams in the NFC Wild Card round, which was the team’s first playoff win since 1992.

The Rams will be missing several key players in their season opener against the Lions as Tyler Higbee remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and is going to miss a minimum of four weeks.

The Rams are also without starting left tackle Alaric Jackson, who was suspended two games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Rams’ keys to victory

Feed Puka Nacua

Nacua had his way against the Lions in the NFC Wild Card round, catching nine of his 10 targets for a career-high 181 yards and a touchdown.

It was the finishing touch on one of the best rookie seasons for a wide receiver in NFL history, and Nacua will now look to pick up where he left off as he begins his sophomore campaign.

How will Rams replace Aaron Donald?

The Rams lost one of their greatest players in franchise history when Aaron Donald retired this past March, but the team’s defensive line should still be a strength this season.

Kobie Turner and Byron Young are both coming off promising rookie campaigns, while the additions of Braden Fiske and Jared Verse give the team plenty of depth up front.

Rob Havenstein vs. Aidan Hutchinson?

Havenstein is listed as questionable for the Rams in Week 1 after being on the injury report with an ankle injury.

The veteran’s presence will be key in containing Pro Bowl defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who generated four pressures and a sack in the Lions’ playoff win over the Rams. If Havenstein is unable to go then the Rams would be without both of their starting tackles, which wouldn’t be ideal against Hutchinson and the rest of that defensive line.