Jared Goff, reflecting on one of the best individual performances of his career, expressed his disappointment that his standout effort wasn’t enough to secure a win for his team.
Despite impressive statistics, Goff recognized that the timing of their success on offense ultimately came too late to change the outcome. “Yeah, it’s not enough. That’s really the best way to put it,” he said, summarizing his frustration.
The Lions’ quarterback pointed to the team’s slow start as the primary reason for the loss. While they managed to rack up significant yardage and a few touchdowns late in the game, Goff believes they could have made it a more competitive contest if they had executed at a higher level earlier.
“I think we were able to rack up some yards and some touchdowns there late in the game, and if we had done that earlier in the game, it probably would’ve been a closer game and wouldn’t have felt so much like garbage time there at the end,” he added. Goff’s comments reflect the difficulty of overcoming self-inflicted wounds in a matchup against a strong opponent.
Indeed, Goff emphasized that their early struggles placed them in a position that was difficult to recover from. He noted that playing from behind, especially against quality competition, is often a recipe for failure.
“I know we kind of made it close there at the end, you get the onside kick, you have a chance,” Goff said, referencing the team’s late push to mount a comeback. The Lions managed to narrow the deficit and make the game interesting in its final moments, but they ultimately ran out of time.
Goff was candid in admitting that the offense hurt itself, particularly in the opening stages of the game. “Early in the game we kind of shot ourselves in the foot offensively,” he acknowledged.
Penalties, missed opportunities, and stalled drives kept the team from building momentum and matching the opponent’s scoring pace. In a game where every possession counted, falling behind by multiple scores proved costly.
He also pointed out the mental and physical toll of trying to play catch-up, especially when trailing against a formidable opponent. “In a game like that against an opponent like that, you get behind the eight ball a little bit, down a couple scores, and it’s hard to climb back,” Goff said.
The Lions’ inability to consistently execute early left them in a hole they couldn’t completely dig out of, no matter how well they played late.
While Goff’s performance showcased his talent and ability to lead the offense, the loss served as a reminder that individual success is not enough to win in the NFL. Complementary football—where all phases of the game contribute consistently—remains crucial.
For Goff and the Lions, the focus moving forward will be on starting faster and maintaining that level of execution for a full four quarters. If they can learn from their mistakes and build off Goff’s strong play, there’s hope that future performances will translate into victories.
