The Detroit Lions are on fire. Sunday’s 37–24 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals marked their fourth straight win, and quarterback Jared Goff insists it’s not by accident. The Lions are thriving on balance, chemistry, and just the right dose of confidence.
After the game, Goff broke down why playing complementary football has been crucial—and he didn’t hesitate to credit his teammates for it.
“It feels like the last couple of weeks they’ve done that for us, giving us short fields,” Goff said of the defense. “I think we converted on all but one tonight. We want to finish every one of those, and that’s something we emphasize—turning turnovers into points, especially at the rate our defense is forcing them. So yeah, still an area to improve, but they’re doing a great job.”
Detroit forced three turnovers against Cincinnati, setting Goff and the offense up for prime scoring chances. It’s something he says they now fully expect rather than hope for.
Complementary Football Defines Detroit’s Formula
Anyone who’s watched Dan Campbell’s Lions knows the blueprint: the defense creates opportunities, the offense cashes in, and special teams control the field.
Goff pointed out how vital that synergy has been throughout Detroit’s four-game winning streak.
“That’s kind of been our thing during these four wins,” he said. “When the offense has needed help, the defense steps up. When they’ve needed a boost, we’ve delivered. It hasn’t been perfect on both sides, but someone always seems to make the big play at the right time.”
And it’s not just offense and defense doing the work. Goff made sure to give props to special teams, too.
“Special teams as well—last week it was Kalif, and today Fox had some punts that totally flipped the field. That’s massive. We lift each other up. Good teams do that, and good teams stack wins. That’s four in a row for us, and it feels great.”
Sam LaPorta: Detroit’s Secret Advantage
Tight end Sam LaPorta has quietly become one of Goff’s go-to weapons. Against Cincinnati, he grabbed five passes for 92 yards and a touchdown, earning big praise from his quarterback.
“It was awesome,” Goff said. “We got him that one early down the sideline, then he scored later in that drive. He’s a big piece of what we do, and we keep saying it—the more he’s involved, the better our offense looks, and today was one of those games.”
Goff grinned as he described LaPorta’s dependability, calling him a “matchup nightmare” and one of the most well-rounded young tight ends in the league.
Faith in the Front Line
Goff also praised Giovanni Manu, who stepped in for veteran Taylor Decker and made his first career start. The quarterback said the rookie handled the challenge like a seasoned vet.
“I thought he battled his tail off,” Goff said. “It’s tough—your first game, you’re going to make mistakes. That’s what I told him. You won’t be perfect, but you’ve got to learn and get better each snap. I thought he really fought.”
Even with some early hiccups, Goff said Manu displayed the grit and toughness that define the Lions’ culture.
Detroit’s offense is clicking, the defense is taking the ball away, and special teams are dominating field position. It’s the three-phase approach Goff and Campbell have preached since camp began.
Now sitting at 4–1, the Lions are showing that last year’s surge was no fluke—it was just the start.
“Good teams do that,” Goff reiterated. “Good teams keep stacking wins.”
The Lions’ style isn’t flashy, but it’s ruthlessly efficient: force takeaways, finish drives, and play as one. Jared Goff knows that’s what separates contenders from pretenders—and right now, the Lions look every bit like the real deal.
