The Detroit Lions currently hold fifth place in the NFC standings after seven weeks. They dominated the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a commanding performance, shutting down a potential MVP candidate in Baker Mayfield. The team played extremely well overall, yet quarterback Jared Goff seemed somewhat out of rhythm throughout the contest.
Statistically, Goff’s outing against Tampa Bay wasn’t terrible. He connected on 20 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown. However, he was also sacked four times, lost a fumble, and tossed an interception, undoing much of his progress. Part of that can be credited to the Buccaneers’ strength, but some of it came from Goff’s own errors and poor decisions under pressure.
That said, Goff has been a major positive for the Lions this year—arguably one of their biggest. He’s played so well that many analysts have included him in the MVP conversation, and rightfully so. Naturally, one might assume that when Goff has an off day, the Lions would collapse offensively. Yet that hasn’t been the case. Against Tampa Bay, running back Jahmyr Gibbs erupted for 136 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 17 carries.
That’s an impressive showing from the third-year running back. It’s also not his first breakout game of the season, as he previously averaged 6.1 yards per carry and scored against the Cleveland Browns. Gibbs has shown he’s a dynamic, big-play threat and a true workhorse in the backfield. Paired with David Montgomery, the Lions possess a rushing attack that few defenses can slow down.
Montgomery was quiet in the win over Tampa Bay, but typically he provides reliable production and serves as a strong complement to Gibbs. Together, the two form one of the league’s most balanced and dangerous running duos. If Goff struggles, the Lions can still control games and put up points through their ground attack.
Goff’s overall numbers this season remain solid. He’s passed for over 1,600 yards with 15 touchdowns against three interceptions, completing just under 75% of his attempts. Even so, Pro Football Focus has given him a modest 66.5 grade—down from his 78.8 and 85.6 ratings in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decline reflects his inconsistency rather than a major regression.
The former top overall pick remains a capable and steady quarterback. However, subpar play from wide receivers and occasional lapses in pass protection have highlighted some of his limitations. Normally, that would be a big concern for most teams, especially when a quarterback takes this many sacks or struggles with ball security. But for the Lions, their dominant running game offsets those issues entirely.
On offense, their ground attack may be the best in the NFC—if not the entire NFL. On defense, they rank among the league’s elite units. Led by Aidan Hutchinson and Jack Campbell, Detroit doesn’t rely on flawless quarterback play to succeed. They’re a complete, well-rounded football team built to win in multiple ways.
That’s exactly why the rest of the NFC should be worried. Even sitting fifth in the standings right now, the Lions look every bit like a contender poised to finish near, or even atop, the conference by season’s end.
