Jared Goff is playing like a top ten NFL quarterback this season. Wow, definitely not a sentence I thought I would be writing this season, but here we are. The Lions are 6-1 in their last seven games and the improved play of Goff is a major reason why. In his last seven games Goff has thrown for 1700 yards, 11 touchdowns and just 1 interception. Goff has been patient and consistent throughout the entire season for Detroit and has been the steady hand as the Lions have dealt with injuries to D'Andre Swift, Amon-Ra St. Brown and others. Even with the injuries this season, the Lions are tied for fifth in scoring offense with 26.4 points per game heading into Week 16.
While I would love to give Jared Goff all the credit for his career resurgence, General Manager Brad Holmes, and Head Coach Dan Campbell also deserve praise for the way they have constructed this roster to maximize Goff's strengths. Their offensive line highlighted by bookend tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell is a top 5 unit in the NFL and has been bullying NFL defensive lines all season. The run game has also excelled even with the injury to D'Andre Swift as Jamaal Williams has burst onto the scene this season. You may remember the very vocal Williams from Hard Knocks this preseason. Dan Campbell said then that Williams embodies Detroit because of his toughness and resilience. Williams this season has certainly shown both rushing for 839 yards(14th in the NFL), and 14!!! touchdowns(1st in the NFL). Swift has been limited to about 10 carries per game since being out the month of October with shoulder/ ankle injuries. He's only gone over 10 once this season, a Week 13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in which Swift ran the ball 14 times for 62 yards and 1 touchdown. We'll see if Swift can ramp up his carries, but Jamaal Williams is clearly RB1 in Detroit.
NFC Playoff Picture
6. New York Giants: 8-5-1
Last Remaining 3: at Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, at Philadelphia Eagles
7. Washington Commanders: 7-6-1
Last Remaining 3: at San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys
8. Seattle Seahawks: 7-7
Last Remaining 3: at Kansas City, New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams
9. Detroit Lions: 7-7
Last Remaining 3: at Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, at Green Bay Packers
With only 7 playoff spots the race is tight in the NFC. For Jared Goff and the Lions, the easiest way into the playoffs is to keep winning. The Lions won't face a team with a winning record the rest of the way, and if they can take care of business these next 3 weeks, they have a great chance to finish 10-7 and IN the playoffs!
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