Jared Goff is back in form and proving why the Detroit Lions put their faith in him as their starting quarterback. In a nail-biting contest against the Arizona Cardinals, Goff's leadership and poise helped the Lions secure a 20-13 victory in Week 3.
The Lions' red zone offense, which had faced some difficulties in previous games, was remarkably effective this time around. According to Brandon Knapp from Pride of Detroit, Detroit went two-for-two in the red zone, with both a rushing and a passing touchdown. This turnaround was essential as field goals alone can't win many NFL games, and Detroit needed these touchdowns to seal the deal.
Goff was a standout performer in this critical win. He completed 18 of 23 passes for 198 yards and threw two touchdowns, showing incredible accuracy and decision-making. However, Goff’s game wasn’t without its flaws. He did throw an interception to Dennis Gardeck, which remains a concern since Goff's four interceptions so far this season are the most he's had in the first three games of his career. Nevertheless, his overall performance was commendable. As Eric Woodyard from ESPN noted, Goff narrowly avoided another pick-6 just before the two-minute warning, which was overturned by a reversed call.
The Lions' ground game complemented Goff's aerial attack wonderfully. David Montgomery pounded the rock with 23 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown, while rookie Jahmyr Gibbs added 83 yards on 16 carries. This powerful ground game was a significant factor in keeping the Cardinals' defense on its heels. Ben Johnson's playcalling, which was criticized the previous week, was spot on this time. Johnson leaned on the running game, calling 43 rush attempts compared to 23 passes. This balanced attack kept the Cardinals guessing and allowed Goff to manage the game effectively, as highlighted by Knapp from Pride of Detroit.
On the defensive side, Kerby Joseph had a pivotal interception, and Aidan Hutchinson continued his hot streak with yet another sack, adding to his league-leading total. The Lions' defense limited the Cardinals’ offense, particularly in crucial moments. Despite Kyler Murray's initial efficiency, the Cardinals ultimately struggled, registering a mere 205 yards the rest of the game after their opening drive. This was emphasized by USA Today’s rapid reactions.
It's clear that Goff isn’t merely a placeholder; he’s becoming a key playmaker for the Lions. His performance against the Cardinals should encourage fans and reassure the coaching staff. While there are still areas to improve, notably in reducing turnovers, the Lions' victory over a tenacious Cardinals squad signals a promising trajectory for Detroit this season.
Looking ahead, Goff and the Lions will need to continue this balanced and effective game plan to maintain their winning ways. If they do, this win against the Cardinals might just be the springboard they need for a successful season.
What other sites are saying about this topic
What we learned in NFL Week 3: Answering big questions and sizing up every single matchup from NFL Nation, ESPN
Cardinals offense falls off in Week 3 loss to Detroit Lions from Arizona Sports
5 observations from the Arizona Cardinals loss to Detroit Lions from USA Today
Detroit Lions show resiliency but catch big break to stifle Arizona Cardinals, 20-13 from Detroit Free Press