The Detroit Lions moved to 9-1 following their emphatic 52-6 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Detroit dominated in every phase and played a fierce, complete game. The Lions were outstanding. Here are the major takeaways from this big win.
Jared Goff Bounces Back
Jared Goff rebounded from a five-interception game with a perfect performance. Goff completed 24 passes and threw four touchdowns, averaging 14.2 yards per attempt, recording a 93.9 QBR and a perfect passer rating of 158.3.
The Californian delivered a virtuoso performance. Goff manipulated the pocket brilliantly, ripped his in-breaking throws with devastating accuracy, and even demonstrated some scrambling ability.
Expanding on the in-breaking throws, Goff was 12/14, throwing for 259 yards, including two touchdowns and a +19.3% CPOE per Next Gen Stats.
Goff quarterbacked seven drives in this game, resulting in touchdowns. It was a majestic performance that hauled Goff back into the MVP conversation.
Furthermore, Goff is the first quarterback in NFL history to record an 80% or better completion percentage in five games during the same season. He is also the first quarterback since Drew Brees to record three games with a 150-plus passer rating in the same season.
After that performance, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell called Goff a ‘stud,’ and it was easy to see why. Any throw Goff wanted, he got. Noted NFL analyst Ollie Connolly likened Goff’s performance to prime Tom Brady.
Accuracy, velocity, and incision highlighted Goff’s game. If the 30-year-old can keep playing like that, he will undoubtedly have a shot at MVP.
Jahmyr Gibbs’ Speed Is Frightening
If you ever wanted to understand why the Lions loved Jahmyr Gibbs during the 2023 NFL Draft, one outrageous 54-yard catch and run underlined their jubilation when they turned in the draft card.
Late in the second quarter, Gibbs got a swing pass from Jared Goff. The Alabama product found the edge and hit the accelerator like a racecar at the Indy 500. The immediate acceleration and burst brought Ford Field to its feet. It was acceleration from another planet. Per Next Gen Stats, Gibbs clocked 21.8mph, the sixth fastest speed recorded by any player this season. The second-year player has two of the top six recorded speeds this season.
SONIC OUT HERE GRABBING RINGS AT WARP SPEED pic.twitter.com/atfAXtKvLm
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 17, 2024
Only a last-ditch tackle from a recovering Jags defender stopped Gibbs from scoring. It was a spellbinding moment from Gibbs. The immediate change in speed was explosive. Brad Holmes called Gibbs an offensive weapon during the draft process; Gibbs looks like a product of Weapon X.
Jack Campbell’s Time Is Now
The Lions expect Jack Campbell to step up and fill the void without Alex Anzalone, who is on injured reserve with an injured forearm. The Iowa product stepped up yesterday, earning a game ball from Dan Campbell. Nine tackles, a half-sack and a TFL highlighted Campbell’s stat sheet on Sunday.
The understated linebacker set the tone with his physicality in the run game, tenacious tackling and hard work. He has quietly put together a solid season. With Anzalone out for at least four weeks, Campbell now gets a shot at wearing the green dot and leading the Lions’ defense.
Campbell leads the Lions in tackles made and has the backing of his head coach to take the next step in his development. Dan Campbell told the press the following:
“He’s a guy who understands the game. He’s a smart football player. He studies it; he works at it, and he was that way when he walked in.”