Once fall started rolling around, the Detroit Lions turned into a totally different football team. Through October, the Lions went 1-6 as their high-scoring offense was being outdone by their defense, which was the worst in the league. But, with the defense finally making strides, things have begun turning around.
Since the calendar turned to November, the Lions have gone 5-1 with their only loss coming on Thanksgiving Day against the Buffalo Bills, who won 28-25 with a last-second field goal. After giving up at least 24 points in the first seven games of the season, Detroit has held their opponents under that number in four out of six games since.
With the defense improving, the offense is taking full advantage. They have been one of the most prolific units in the NFL all season and there are no signs of that slowing down. Detroit has scored at least 25 points in five consecutive games and at least 31 in four out of those five games.
During that stretch, Jared Goff has played like a Pro Bowler. Goff has had some very good seasons in his career and this is shaping up to be arguably the best. Since Week 10, he has really taken things to another level.
Goff has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league in that time, as he is tied for first in the NFL with four wins and zero turnovers. His passer rating of 107.9 and passing yards of 1,311 are both third in the league.
We have yet to even see the best of what the Lions have to offer offensively this season. The team has excellent depth at the position as Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond are currently second and third on the team in receptions and yardage, but they do not offer the upside of the other players getting into the lineup.
Detroit is only going to get better now that 2022 first-round pick Jameson Williams is healthy and working his way into the lineup more. D.J. Chark is also healthier, giving some much-needed support to Amon-Ra St. Brown in the passing game.
That is a lot of weapons for Goff to get the ball to, as they also have one of the best running back rooms in the NFL with De’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Justin Jackson and Craig Reynolds. With a strong offensive line, Goff is in a great position to show the Lions why he should be their long-term answer at the position and they can spend their assets at other spots to shore up the roster.
