Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff stood comfortably in the pocket as wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown worked his way past cornerback Ronald Darby on a corner route. Goff’s pass led the record-setting wide receiver to the corner of the end zone at Ford Field.
It was a familiar situation Sunday. The Lions produced points on their opening eight possessions, including seven consecutive touchdowns during the 52-6 dismantling of the injury-plagued Jacksonville Jaguars.
Lions coach Dan Campbell believes the Jared Goff-led offense, which averages 33.6 points per game through 10 games, could develop into one of the top units in NFL history.
“I think we have that ability, I really do,” Campbell said during his postgame press conference, via WXYZ Detroit. “To me, we have everything we need to be potent.”
“We played some of our best ball up to date.”
The Lions compiled 644 yards and 38 first downs, both team records. Goff completed 24 of 29 passes for 412 yards and four touchdowns. He registered a “perfect” 158.3 passer rating. St. Brown compiled 11 catches for 161 yards and two TDs.
“No matter who we play, we have to raise our standard,” Goff said.
The Lions, who improved to an NFC-best 9-1, outgained the Jaguars by 475 yards. It was the largest NFL margin in 45 years.
“It’s difficult to find words,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson told Jaguars.com.
The Lions’ 10-game start marked the organization’s best since 1934.
“It was crazy.” St. Brown said.
How crazy? Well, Campbell challenged – and reversed – a completed fourth-quarter, downfield pass when leading by 48 points.
“It was one of those games where I feel like everything was working,” St. Brown said. “It’s a credit to everyone.”
Goff declared Sunday’s game as part of the “dog days” of the NFL’s regular season, “the last few weeks before the final four or five games.”
That’s the time, Goff said, when questions are answered.
“Are we the team we think we are?” he asked. “Let’s prove it.”
Well, Sunday they did.
X (Twitter) fans responded to the Lions’ first seven possessions Sunday …
The @Lions become first team to score a TD on each of their first 7 drives of a regular season game since the 2007 Patriots (Week 11 vs Bills) pic.twitter.com/lHROkkjGkZ
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 17, 2024
The “Goffense” was in gear …
round of applause for that Goffense 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/5bvmPle8we
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 17, 2024
Campbell on Goff: “He’s a stud.” But is he an NFL MVP frontrunner? …
Will Jared Goff win MVP?
❤️ for YES
🔁 for NO#NFL | #OnePride pic.twitter.com/e03lenBNDB— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) November 17, 2024
Campbell on the Lions’ offense: “We’re difficult to stop, collectively” …
Game balls for everyone! pic.twitter.com/gLdf3Rg5tD
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 18, 2024
The Jaguars surrendered at least 600 yards for the second time in franchise history …
The Detroit Lions have had six possessions so far against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
They have scored a touchdown on each one 😬
🎥 @NFLpic.twitter.com/mCtJ8qfdEi
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 17, 2024
Starting linebacker Alex Anzalone suffered a broken forearm and will miss six to eight weeks …
Detroit Lions sad to lose Alex Anzalone to injury, but not panicking: 'We'll be fine' https://t.co/BEYVfkvLkQ via @freep
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) November 17, 2024
Trade deadline addition Za’Darius Smith had a reason to smile during his post-game stroll to the locker room …
No words necessary@zadariussmith pic.twitter.com/oUJPJDnpSh
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 17, 2024
Fifty-two points redux …
The Lions put up exactly 52 points for the second time this season. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/fUilTRIheH
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 17, 2024
It took a while for Campbell’s culture to take hold. Since starting 0-10-1 in 2021, Campbell’s first season, the Lions have gone 33-17. Since a 1-5 start in ‘22, the Lions have compiled a 29-8 mark. Do the Lions’ fans deserve this recent run? …
I’m never forgetting this feeling
All the losing seasons
Every miserable game at Silver dome as a kid
Every miserable game at Ford Field
The countless sad seasons
The 0-16 Season
We finally have a legit football team https://t.co/DbODkqPVbk
— Aaron (@Coach_Them_Up) November 17, 2024