The Detroit Lions’ Christmas Day showdown against the Minnesota Vikings was supposed to be a season-defining moment. Instead, it turned into one of the most damaging performances of Jared Goff’s career — and NFL analyst Ryan Clark did not hold back.
Detroit’s 23–10 loss didn’t just eliminate the Lions from playoff contention. It exposed major concerns about their quarterback in a must-win game on national television.
Goff finished the game directly responsible for five turnovers, as the Lions offense completely unraveled against Brian Flores’ aggressive Vikings defense. With only three NFL games on Christmas Day, the performance played out in front of the entire football world — and the criticism was inevitable.
Ryan Clark Calls Jared Goff’s Performance “Unacceptable”
Appearing on ESPN, Ryan Clark made it clear this wasn’t simply a bad outing. In his view, it was part of a troubling pattern that shows up when the stakes are highest.
“Jared Goff can build you up to make you believe that you have a chance,” Clark said, via LionsWire. “Then you go back to the Super Bowl versus Bill Belichick, the NFC Championship in San Francisco, last year against the Washington Commanders — and now this.”
Clark pointed directly to the Christmas Day collapse, emphasizing how damaging the mistakes were given the circumstances.
“You’re looking at a must-have-it game for the Detroit Lions,” Clark continued. “You know what your defense is dealing with because of injuries, and to turn the football over five times and look hapless at times — that’s unacceptable for Jared Goff.”
That word — unacceptable — resonated.
Clark wasn’t just criticizing the turnovers. He highlighted how unprepared the Lions offense looked, how Goff failed to adjust to Flores’ blitz-heavy scheme, and how Detroit never found answers once momentum swung.
“This is an organization that has fully committed to Jared Goff,” Clark added. “They trusted him to elevate the team — and in this moment, he let them down.”
A Fair Criticism or Too Harsh?
The debate around Jared Goff has always been complicated.
At his best, Goff looks like a top-tier NFL quarterback. When the offensive line is dominant, the run game is thriving, and the offense stays on schedule, he can carve up defenses with precision and confidence.
But when games turn chaotic, the flaws surface.
Pressure increases. Mistakes compound. Turnovers follow.
Against Minnesota, with Detroit’s defense already decimated by injuries, the Lions needed their quarterback to steady the ship. Instead, the game spiraled out of control.
What This Means for the Lions Going Forward
This isn’t a call for Detroit to move on from Goff. The Lions have extended him, built around him, and clearly believe he can lead them to a championship.
However, Clark’s criticism raises an unavoidable question for a team with Super Bowl aspirations:
Can Jared Goff win when everything isn’t perfect?
For true contenders, that question matters.
Bottom Line
Jared Goff can win a Super Bowl — but his path looks different from quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen. For Goff to succeed at the highest level, Detroit must maintain elite trench play and a dominant run game that keeps him comfortable and in rhythm.
When those elements are in place, Goff can operate at a championship level. When they aren’t, performances like the Christmas Day collapse become far more likely.
If the Lions want to maximize their championship window, ensuring continued dominance up front may be just as important as defending their quarterback.
