Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions continue to receive praise from the national NFL media. Following their devastating 52-14 win over the Tennessee Titans, analysts and journalists praised the Lions.
Goff has also received plenty of plaudits following the Lions’ 6-1 start. Some have placed the former Ram in the MVP conversation, and the 30-year-old quarterback has played exceptionally well.
Across the last five games, Goff’s completion rate of 83% and passer rating of 146.5 is the highest across a five-game span in NFL history. Furthermore, he is in the top ten in success rate and EPA per play for the season. Moreover, Goff is second in passer rating, only behind reigning MVP Lamar Jackson.
The Californian is playing at an elite level. And those performances have led future Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick to praise Goff. Goff and Belichick stood on opposing sidelines at Super Bowl 53.
Infamously, Belichick’s defense held Goff’s LA Rams to three points. The then 24-year-old froze under the pressure, and it was the beginning of the end for the former Golden Bear in LA.
Goff was a guest on Belichick’s Let’s Go Sirius XM NFL show, and Belichick was quick to commend Goff.
Belichick said:
“It’s impossible, I think, for a defense to stop the Lions’ offense. There are too many weapons, the offensive line is too good, blitzing isn’t the answer, not blitzing is not the answer. I think you’ve gotta, playing you guys — to me, just hang on and try to create as many long and long situations as possible. But that’s hard because you have so many explosive players and distribute the ball well.”
Furthermore, Belichick liked how the quarterback had matured as a passer, distributing the ball to Detroit’s playmakers and taking what the defense presented:
“And getting the ball to the guys, not forcing it, taking the checkdowns. Your checkdowns are more dangerous sometimes. You can throw the ball 15 yards downfield, and your receiver gets tackled, or you can throw a 5-yard check down and turn it into a 30-yard run,” Belichick explained. “So, making good decisions and getting the ball to the open guys, taking what the defense gives you.
“Jared, you are doing a great job of getting the ball out. I used to tell Tom Brady, ‘We can’t gain yards until you get rid of the ball,’ and you are doing a great job of using your skill players.”
The Novato native agreed, stating his development and maturation at the quarterback position:
“It’s like playing point guard. I’m trying to distribute. That’s what I’ve grown and matured in. Don’t just throw it because you think it will be there all week. It’s kinda open, but it’s not really. It doesn’t look great. Get onto the next play, live to see another down. I appreciate that because that’s something that I’ve really worked on.”
Belichick liked Goff’s accuracy and decision-making. Detroit’s star quarterback confirmed that the continuity on offense has helped.
“Having the continuity of Ben Johnson, same skill players, strong offensive line. I am just trying to play disciplined football.”
The former first-overall pick will lead the Lions to Lambeau Field this Sunday for a massive clash with the Green Bay Packers. If Jared Goff can lead the Lions to another big road win, the praise will only get louder.