Rams vs. Detroit Lions: Who has the edge?

RAMS (5-1) vs. LIONS (0-6)

When: Sunday, 1:05 p.m.

Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood

TV/Radio: Ch. 11; 710 AM, 93.1 FM, 1330 AM (Spanish)

Line: Rams by 16½

Notable injury designations: Rams: RB Sony Michel (shoulder) is questionable but expected to play; RB/KR Jake Funk (hamstring) and TE Johnny Mundt (knee) went on season-ending IR. Lions: RB D’Andre Swift (groin), FB Jason Cabinda (hip), TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) and OLB Trey Flowers (knee) are questionable.

What’s at stake? In the middle of a three-game run against weak opponents, the Rams must win to stay one game behind the NFC West-leading Cardinals, who are big favorites over the Texans on Sunday. The biggest motivation belongs to Lions QB Jared Goff, who’d love to teach the Rams a lesson for trading him for Matthew Stafford.

Who’s better? The Rams’ quality needs no explanation given their record, which includes a solid win over the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers. The Lions’ is harder to perceive, but they did play the 49ers, Ravens and Vikings tough in one-score losses.

Matchup to watch: Rams OLB Leonard Floyd vs. Lions RT Matt Nelson. Floyd broke out for 10½ sacks last season and is on his way to another career high with 4½ in the first six games. Rushing off the edge, he could make it a long afternoon for Goff.

Rams win if … If Stafford, guilty of interceptions the past three weeks, avoids trying to do too much vs. his old team and making mistakes. … If their young secondary continues to figure out how to survive CB Darious Williams’ IR stint. … If they don’t give away too much of an edge on special teams, a strength for the Lions, thanks in part to Jack Fox’s 51.5 yards a punt.

Fantasy pick: Stafford. Expect a sharp performance by Goff but expect Stafford to win their indirect battle. Stafford and the Rams are No. 1 in the NFL with 8.6 net yards per pass (the stat factors in lost yardage for sacks); the Lions’ defense is No. 32 with 8.5 allowed.

Prediction: Rams 33, Lions 17. Coach Sean McVay tried to head off complacency after last Sunday’s 38-11 victory over the Giants by wringing his hands about the offense’s slow start. That, and the frisson of the quarterback duel, should have the Rams on their game and putting this one away early.