“There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be.” — John Lennon

Those who believe the laughable conspiracy theory that the National Football League scripts its seasons to generate maximum suspense, hype, and ratings got a fresh round of evidence last week when it became clear the Detroit Lions would face the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of the playoffs.

That game, beyond being just great football, will be filled with more drama and story arcs and character plots than the last season of “Yellowstone.” It certainly has the feel of a Hollywood movie.

For those in the dark, here’s the backstory:

For 12 frustrating seasons, Matthew Stafford quarterbacked the Lions, racking up some Hall of Fame-level stats but usually unable to convert those stats into winning seasons.

Three years ago, after three consecutive losing seasons at the bottom of the division, Stafford ditched Detroit as the Lions traded him to the Rams in exchange for L.A. quarterback Jared Goff and several draft picks.

Stafford went on to lead the Rams to a Super Bowl victory in his first season out west, while the Lions continued losing, winning just three games in the first season with Goff at the helm.

Detroit fans felt gut-punched.

On Sunday, however, Detroit has a real chance at redemption.

Under the knee-biting coaching of Dan Campbell and the smart business moves of General Manager Brad Holmes, Goff this season led the Lions to the team’s first division title in 30 years and to a 12-5 record that ties with Dallas and San Francisco for the second-best record in the NFL this season, just one win behind the best team in the league.

The Rams, two wins behind Detroit, nonetheless come into the playoffs on a hot streak, winning four of their last five games (Detroit’s won three of the last five).

Goff and Stafford come into the game with nearly identical success since the trade, Goff with just a slight edge in total passing yards, completions, and touchdowns.

Adding to the drama, Detroit hosts the Rams at Ford Field for Stafford’s first appearance there since the trade. The Lions this season have just one more win at home than the Rams have wins away.

It will be loud in Ford Field.

Sunday marks Detroit’s first playoff appearance since 2016 and a chance for its first playoff win since 1991. It’s the first time since at least 2014 — and perhaps the first time in 32 years — that it seems like the Lions have a real shot at victory.

Oh, and the game happens in primetime, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. Sunday on NBC.

I don’t believe the NFL scripting theory.

I do believe the football gods smile upon us.

I love football because it perfectly mixes brains and brawn, strategy and strength, planning and punishing. It’s a game in which wins and losses get decided sometimes by mere inches, by mere seconds, by one decision to play it safe and go for a field goal or go all-out for the touchdown.

Add in a storyline like the one we’ll see on Sunday, and it’s darn near intolerably exciting.

Sunday’s game will finally settle which team benefitted most from the Stafford-Goff trade, which quarterback has really done the most for his squad.

I look forward to Sunday’s game as a diehard Lions fan. I can’t wait to watch my guys go out there and do what they’ve done all season and rack up yards and points. I can’t wait to see what Campbell does with his first fourth down in enemy territory, how many yards we get on the ground, how many in the air.

Watching the Lions play this season, I think they’re capable of beating any team.

But I really look forward to Sunday’s game as a pure and simple football fan. Two very good teams led by two very good quarterbacks facing off amid all the drama. It can’t get better than that.

You’ll find me on the edge of my seat the whole game, hear me yelling at every play.

Let’s go Lions!

Justin A. Hinkley can be reached at 989-354-3112 or jhinkley@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinHinkley.