NFL: Stafford happy to "put storylines away" after Rams beat Lions

Quarterback Matthew Stafford said he was glad to "put the storylines away" after the Los Angeles Rams moved to 6-1 with victory over former team the Detroit Lions.

Stafford was traded from the Lions to the Rams in a deal agreed in January, with Jared Goff and two first-round picks going the other way in a blockbuster move that is working out brilliantly for Los Angeles.

The Rams were heavy favourites to see off the winless Lions, meaning the focus was primarily on the reunions for Stafford and Goff with the franchises they used to call home.

Stafford excels in Rams' victory over the Lions

Despite a spirited effort from the Lions, for whom Stafford owns the franchise record in passing yards after throwing 45,109 over 12 seasons, the Rams emerged with a 28-19 victory.

Stafford was imperious, throwing for 334 yards and three touchdowns, and afterward, he expressed his satisfaction at being able to focus purely on games rather than the narrative surrounding this matchup.

"Am I happy it's over with? Yeah," Stafford said. "I've got a lot of great friends, got a lot of people that I care about that are on that team or from that city and I'm just glad to have this one over with and put the storylines away and just go out and play football the rest of the year."

"Pretty cool" to see Lions fans in his jersey, says Stafford

Stafford, however, was touched to see some Lions fans who made the journey to Los Angeles still sporting his jersey.

"I thought to myself that was pretty cool," he added. "I really appreciate it. I've said it a bunch of times, and I truly mean it, I loved my time there. I loved all the people there that treated me, my family, my wife with a ton of respect and a ton of grace for a long time.

"It was cool to see that. Once the ball was snapped, it was football time, and I was ready to go play."