On Monday Night, it was a historic performance for Lions quarterback Jared Goff. He went 18-for-18 for 292 yards and two touchdowns. For Goff, he set the record for the most passing attempts without an incompletion in a single game in NFL history.
His performance helped the Lions score 6 touchdowns and improve to a 3-1 record as they enter their bye week. It’s a much needed bye week for the Lions as they’re injured on both sides of the football and need to get healthy with key games against the Cowboys, Vikings, Packers and Texans coming up. For now, let’s break down some of the best throws from Goff on Monday Night!
I thought for sure that Goff was going to throw this to ASB underneath but the trust with Tim Patrick is starting to develop. Fires this to Patrick and it's another big gain. The Lions love hitting those dig routes. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/msdfH2MrMc
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) October 3, 2024
One of the best throws of the night for Jared Goff happened later in the game to wide receiver Tim Patrick. Looking at the play above, the Lions come out with their ’11’ personnel (one running back and one tight end). Prior to the snap, Goff shifted from shotgun to under center.
Once the ball is snapped, Goff gives a slight fake to the running back and then looks downfield. Initially, it looks like he’s going to throw the ball to Amon-Ra St. Brown on the spot route underneath but he changes it up and throws the dig route.
The Lions love throwing to those dig routes and it’s well ran by Tim Patrick. Building that rapport between Goff and Patrick has taken time but it’s starting to turn into a good connection between the two. Seeing more of this as the season continues should bode well for the success of the offense.
Jared Goff anticipated Jameson Williams on this crosser and it was off to the races after the catch. This was perfect!! #OnePride https://t.co/YsqUAyJOcm pic.twitter.com/uJmPAO51dG
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) October 3, 2024
The last play I want to discuss is how Jared Goff improved from week 3 to week 4 when targeting Jameson Williams. Much of that is because he’s starting to anticipate Williams on crossing routes over the field.
Against the Cardinals, Goff had missed Williams a few times or didn’t anticipate him at all. However, that changed on Monday Night against the Seahawks.
Looking at the play above, Goff operates off play-action and before Williams even breaks over the middle of the field, the ball is already out of the hand of Goff. It’s a great anticipation throw that leads to Williams running it all the way in for a 70-yard touchdown. This type of play can happen weekly for the Lions if Goff continues to anticipate these types of throws.
Overall, it’s been two strong performances in a row for Jared Goff. After a questionable performance against the Buccaneers, he’s starting to look like the quarterback we all love to watch and chant for on a weekly basis. He’s far from perfect and isn’t the most athletic quarterback in the NFL but on Monday Night, he was perfect.
