The Detroit Lions are making an unexpected late-season push for a playoff spot. No one outside of that organization envisioned they would be playing meaningful games at Christmas and into the new year when they started the season off 1-6. But, here we are, as the Lions have gone 6-2 since that point.
A rough outing last week on the road against the Carolina Panthers was certainly a bump in the road, but Detroit is still confident in itself. They will host their NFC North rivals the Chicago Bears in Week 17 before heading on the road to take on the Green Bay Packers in a game that could have win and you’re in stakes.
Detroit couldn’t ask for anything more than that as they pretty much control their own destiny. If they can win out and the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks lose one more game apiece, the Lions would land the final wild card spot in the NFC.
A big reason that they are in this position has been the performance of quarterback Jared Goff. Goff was cast aside by many people when the Los Angeles Rams decided to include him as part of the package in the Matthew Stafford blockbuster. The assumption was that he would be a placeholder until the Lions were able to bring in a highly-rated prospect, but Goff’s level of play could lead to a course change.
Goff has played very well for the Lions, leading what has been one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL this season. Over the last five weeks, he has taken his game to another level when the team needed him most.
As shared by NFL on CBS, Goff is first over that span with zero interceptions and tied for fourth with 11 passing touchdowns. He is third in both passing yards with 1,517 and passer rating with a 107.3.
The Lions have gone 3-2 over that stretch, losing to the Buffalo Bills on a field goal at the buzzer by Tyler Bass on Thanksgiving to kickstart the run. If Goff continues playing at that level, the Lions will have a great shot at qualifying for the postseason and providing a tough matchup against whoever they face off against.
On the season, Goff has completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 3,959 yards and 26 touchdowns compared to only seven interceptions. The future could be bright for him as he is still only 28 and Detroit has some excellent building blocks on the offense around him.
