Jared Goff threw for four touchdowns in the Detroit Lions’ 36-27 win over the Washington Commanders, the most the quarterback has thrown in his one-plus seasons in Detroit. His Lions have scored 71 points in the first two weeks, including posting at least one touchdown in every quarter this season.
Goff is the ringleader for the prolific offense, a group that remains under the national radar despite carrying over the strong finish in 2021. After the game, Goff was asked about just how good this Lions offense can be.
“As good as anybody,” Goff responded matter-of-factly. “It’s – like you said, we scored 35 last week, scored 36 this week, and you still feel like, ‘Ah, but that – but that one.’ And I can’t think of a few ones off the top of my head, but that one would have really blown the game wide open, and that’s our next step, right?”
Goff completed 20-of-34 passes for 256 yards and the four TDs. At least three of the incompletions were drops, and at least two others were red-zone misfires where Goff missed open receivers.
“That’s our next step of going – becoming that maybe more mature, understanding-the-moment team, being able to take those – take advantage of those opportunities and it starts with me. I’ve got to hit some of those throws and really get on the same page with those guys … There’s so much more out there for us,” Goff continued.
Given how well the Lions offense has functioned so far, Goff isn’t wrong. They lit up the Commanders with backups playing at left guard and center and with top RB D’Andre Swift limited with an ankle injury. First-round rookie Jameson Williams hasn’t even played yet, and he’ll bring field-stretching speed to the receiving corps to create even more space for Goff to operate.
The run game has been outstanding. Detroit RBs gained 125 yards on 20 carries, and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown added in a 58-yard run of his own. Rookie offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has nicely mixed up the attack, staying unpredictable and versatile. Goff should only get more comfortable as he and his offensive mates get both healthier and more experience playing together.
