What are the Los Angeles Rams talking about ahead of this week's regular-season opener against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field? Let's find out:

1. "It's going to be a heck of an environment in Detroit," current Rams and former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said this week.

"Last time we played there in the playoffs it was crazy loud. I assume a Sunday Night Football to open the season (will be crazy loud). I remember playing a Sunday night opener, I believe it was, either Sunday night or Monday night against the Giants back in the day, and that place was rocking and rolling and we weren't coming off a run like they did.

"It's going to be a fun environment, a tough environment, for some of the young guys on our team that haven't played in those scenarios it will be a new thing for them, but it'll be fun."

2. Stafford talked about the uncertainty and the little bit of unknown that comes with Week 1. Lions quarterback Jared Goff mentioned the same thing this week. That's where this matchup is a really good one because both Goff and Stafford have played in this league a long time and there's really not a lot a defense can throw at either player they haven't seen at some point in their long careers.

"You go into a season opener there is some unknown there," Stafford said. "And so, 'OK, Matthew, how can you help us in certain situations try to get us into something a little better and or fix a small problem here or there to have a successful play.'"

3. The Rams have two rookie defensive linemen they are excited about in Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, and head coach Sean McVay said the two rookies couldn't have more different personalities.

Lions offensive linemen better prepare themselves for the loud Verse, who has earned quite the reputation so far in Los Angeles for his relentless trash talking.

"Sometimes you have to tell Jared, 'Hey man, be quiet get in the huddle and play the next snap,' and Braden is kind of just taking it all in," McVay said.

4. McVay said he's excited for the opportunity to go against a great football team in Detroit on Sunday Night Football and this entire week has finally started to feel real with it being regular season time.

He talked glowingly about some of the additions the Lions have made, the job the coaches do, and just how tough the Lions play. He talked about the atmosphere and environment for the playoff game being special and he is excited for the opportunity to play in it once again to open this season.

5. Rams safety Quentin Lake said he still remembers everything about the 2nd & 9 catch by wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown with him in coverage that sealed the playoff win for the Lions last year.

"I kept that play in my memory," Lake said. "Just because not only was it on a friend in high school, a competitor when we went to college, a rival, and then obviously playing him in the league. I'm talking about St. Brown.

"It puts fuel in my fire because I feel like I could have done something to at least maybe, just maybe, help the team get to a third down, or done something where the last play wasn't on me because, obviously, they took a knee after that. But I think about it all the time because you always think about what if."

Lake said if he sees the same route again Sunday night he'll play it with a little bit different leverage.

6. Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner said he's been hyping himself up about the opportunity to go back to the place where their season ended in disappointment and hopefully come away with a much better outcome. He acknowledged it being cool for the Lions organization and the City of Detroit to get the win, but it was heartbreaking for him and he's looking forward to a redo.

7. McVay said former Lions guard Jonah Jackson, who signed a big free-agent deal with the Rams this offseason, will move over and play center for Sunday's game with Steve Avila playing left guard.

8. Stafford said this is the first time in two years All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp has been 100 percent healthy and he looks really good heading into Sunday. Pair him with All-Pro second-year wide receiver Puka Nacua, and Stafford is pretty excited about that duo and the entire skill position group heading into the matchup with Detroit.

Nacua set the NFL record for most receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486) by a rookie in a single season last year. The last time Kupp played a full season in 2021, he had 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns.