Breaking down the All-22 of Lions quarterback Jared Goff’s performance during the Week 7 win over the Vikings.
For a while, there were a ton of doubters (myself included) as to whether or not Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff could reach an MVP-level of play again. After all, those highlight-worthy years with the Los Angeles Rams felt like a lifetime ago during Goff’s first season-and-a-half in Detroit.
Fast forward to the early-stages of 2024, and make no mistake about it—Goff is playing like an MVP candidate again. Fresh off another incredible performance on the road against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7, Goff went 22-of-25 for 280 yards, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 140.0. After a bumpy start to the season, it certainly feels as if Goff has found his groove.
Let’s jump into the All-22 to see how Goff helped engineer another big time win for the Lions that gave the team sole possession of both the NFC North, as well as the NFC as a whole.
First-and-10 on Detroit 17. 11:24 left in second quarter
Like in their other games this season, Minnesota was able to jump out to a 10-0 lead on the Lions. Still, Goff and the rest of the team didn’t bat an eye. After a phenomenal run by running back Jahmyr Gibbs cut into their lead, Goff was able to engineer another drive that would give the Lions a 14-10 advantage.
First, we have a layered-throw from Goff on first down out of a condensed, 11-personnel formation. Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown runs a crisp, in-breaking route behind Minnesota defensive back Josh Metellus, and Goff’s throw allows him to settle down in between the defenders. First down and the Lions are in business.
Second-and-5 on Minnesota 46. 10:27 left in second quarter
Jumping a little ahead in this series and the Lions are facing a second-and-medium on the Minnesota 46. I chose this clip for a few reasons, but with the main one being to highlight Goff’s improved ability and confidence in dealing with pressure pre-snap.
To put it simply, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores does not make things easy on opposing quarterbacks. He routinely mugs up the line of scrimmage pre-snap, making it difficult for the quarterback to decide who is going to rush, and who is going to drop into coverage. Lions coach Dan Campbell even talked about how much they put on Goff’s plate this week in terms of his checks at the line of scrimmage.
Against Minnesota, Goff was once again surgical, identifying pressures early on and getting the ball where it needed to go, just as he does here.
Metellus doesn’t tip his hand too much before the ball is snapped, but by the time he puts his foot in the ground and gets downhill, Goff knows where the ball is supposed to go. An easy throw-and-catch, and St. Brown does the rest by getting the ball past the sticks for another first down.
Over the last three games Goff has gone 32-of-34 for 545 yards, and four touchdowns when teams have blitzed him, per Pro Football Focus. Yeah, that will do.
Second-and-11 on Minnesota 35. 8:44 left in second quarter
A few minutes later and the Lions are on Minnesota’s side of the 50-yard line and looking to take the lead.
Once again, Minnesota has seven defenders walked up at the line of scrimmage, with four defenders playing off-coverage in the secondary. Wide receiver Tim Patrick picks up a nice block after going in-motion across the formation, and All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell got a piece of two defenders, allowing Goff the required time to get this pass off.
I am not sure if it was busted coverage on Minnesota, but St. Brown is untouched off of the line, and works his way right up the seam. Goff drops in a perfect pass to his favorite target and just like that, the Lions are back on top 14-10.
Sidenote: Look at how wide open receiver Jameson Williams was at the bottom of your screen after putting a move on the defensive back in front of him. If Goff had peeked down there, he likely would have had an even easier throw to Williams.
But with the way this offense operates and how everyone contributes on a weekly basis, any member will tell you—six points is six points.
Second-and-2 on Detroit 36. 5:01 left in second quarter
Besides a few instances, Minnesota appeared to be set on not allowing the Lions a big play over the top. Most of the time they had two safeties deep, content to allow the Lions to try and operate underneath.
Well, the Lions did just that. Metellus blitzes again, but it’s picked up by left guard Graham Glasgow. The rest of the protection is good, too, and Goff is given a clean pocket to operate from. But with everything covered up down the field, Goff once again took what the defense was giving, and Gibbs does the rest, picking up a nice chunk of yards after the catch and moving the Lions across midfield.
It won’t make most highlight shows, but these are the plays that keep things on schedule for an offense. Take the easy yards that the defense is allowing and don’t ask questions about it.
Third-and-9 on Detroit 45. 8:33 left in third quarter
This was one of my favorite throws from Goff against the Vikings during my live-watch, and after watching the film, I love it even more.
The Lions are up 21-17 in the middle of the third quarter, and it’s third-and-9. Goff sees something at the line and checks into an empty look with three receivers to the left of the formation, and Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta to the right.
The Vikings only rush four, but they do a nice job of collapsing the pocket quickly, accelerating the internal clock that Goff has in his head. By the time he gets into his drop, Goff knows where this ball needs to go. Understand the defense is in man-coverage, Goff rips a ball to his left where receiver Kalif Raymond is running an out near the boundary.
Excellent route from Raymond, a near-perfect throw on a really difficult throw from Goff, and a first down for the Lions in a big spot. That is what we call throwing with anticipation.
Second-and-15 on Minnesota 47. 7:48 left in third quarter
Later in the same series, Goff would complete another big-time throw, this time to receiver Tim Patrick for 22 yards.
Patrick runs a great route and does a nice job of securing the catch, but this play was made thanks to Goff’s composure and feel from within the pocket. One of the most underrated skills a quarterback can have is the ability to navigate pressure while keeping their eyes fixed downfield.
Just watch as Goff senses pressure off the edge, slides forward in the pocket, resets his feet, and delivers a dart to Patrick. For me, this is right up there with the previous pass to Raymond near the boundary. Elite, big-time, high-pressure passes that are almost always essential to winning games like the one the Lions won against the Vikings on the road.
Three plays later, Goff would connect with Kalif Raymond once again, this time for a 21-yard score that would give the Lions a 28-17 lead after the extra point from kicker Jake Bates.
First-and-10 on Minnesota 36. 1:18 left in fourth quarter
Lastly, we are jumping forward to what would be the game-winning drive for the Lions. After three consecutive touches for Gibbs netted the Lions 34 yards, the clock was ticking, and the Lions were beginning to sniff field goal range.
With a fresh set of downs and in typical Dan Campbell fashion, Detroit went for the throat. Goff lined up under center with the Lions in 12 personnel. After a playfake to Gibbs, Goff hit the last step of his drop, and knew exactly where he wanted to go with the football—his All-Pro.
Starting at the top of your screen and circled, St. Brown ran a backside dig that put him behind the linebackers, and in front of defensive backs Stephon Gilmore and Harrison Smith. The throw is right on the money, St. Brown comes down with the ball, and the Lions walked out of Minnesota with sole possession of the NFC North.
This gutsy performance on the road along with a few others should land Goff on most MVP watchlists as we approach the halfway point of the 2024 season.
