Free Press sports writers share their predictions for the Detroit Lions’ first-round playoff game Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams (8 p.m., NBC):

Dave Birkett

I don’t love this matchup for the Lions. In fact, of all the NFC wild-card contenders, I thought the Rams were the trickiest draw. They played some of the best football in the NFL late in the season, have one of the most dominant defensive players the game has ever seen and have a passing game with the talent at quarterback and receiver to give the Lions’ underwhelming secondary fits. But I think the Lions have a more complete roster overall, and homefield advantage has to count for something. The atmosphere Sunday will be unmatched for the Lions’ first home playoff game in 30 years, and in a game where one or two mistakes can make all the difference, that could be enough to put the Lions over the top. The Lions need to get their running game going again so not everything is on Goff’s shoulders against his old team. If that happens, and if Goff plays mistake-free football, I see the Lions advancing to a divisional round rematch with the Cowboys next week. The pick: Lions 28, Rams 27.

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Carlos Monarrez

Other than the 49ers and Ravens, the Rams present the least-favorable matchup the Lions could have in the entire playoffs because they boast two elite receivers, an elite running back, a Hall of Fame defensive tackle and a savvy quarterback who is one Super Bowl ring away from being a Hall of Fame lock. The Lions’ biggest weakness is their defense, and specifically the ability to pressure the quarterback, which they’ve manufactured by blitzing. But Matthew Stafford has been great at not only beating the blitz this year, but also making defenses pay for the gamble with big-time throws. Even if Sam LaPorta plays, it’s hard to imagine him being very effective in the multiple ways the Lions need him to be. The Lions’ best chance is to control the clock and keep the ball out of Stafford’s hands. The pick: Rams 33, Lions 28.

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Jeff Seidel

Of course, it had to be Stafford. Of course, it would play out like this. Everything about this game is scary for the Lions and not because Stafford played in Detroit. It’s because Stafford is still a fantastic quarterback with some fantastic, hard-to-stop weapons. The one thing that will tip this in Detroit’s favor is the Lions’ running game. The Lions will win with some complementary football, running the ball as much as possible, eating up clock and trying to keep Stafford on the sideline. Oh, and get ready for some wild Dan Campbell gambles, as he will do against good offenses, trying to steal a possession. The pick: Lions 28, Rams 24.

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Shawn Windsor

If we knew Sam LaPorta would be fully healthy this would be a different pick — maybe. But the Rams are ballin’ and it might not matter anyway. They’ve won seven of eight, have beaten good teams in this stretch and their loss was to Baltimore … in overtime. Stanford has elite receivers and one of the best backs in football in his huddle. He’s also got experience. In the end, he makes one more play. The pick: Rams 31, Lions 28.