The Detroit Lions secured a crucial win in Week 3, and Jared Goff used one word to describe their achievement.
The Lions claimed a 20-13 victory against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, September 22. This road win was a relief for fans, especially after their Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In a postgame conference, Goff noted that the game unfolded exactly as the team had planned, starting from the opening drive.
Goff Highlights the Team’s ‘Ability to Adapt’
“This is what we set out to do,” Goff explained during the press conference. “We wanted to apply pressure right away, start with the ball, and score. We accomplished that.”
Summing up the team’s performance, Goff used the word “resiliency.”
“It’s also about adapting,” Goff continued. “Winning in different ways, whether it’s through the air, on the ground, or with defense. Today, we showed that versatility.”
Goff completed 12 of 12 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. While the offense slowed down in the second half, the Cardinals couldn’t recover. Aidan Hutchinson added another sack, bringing his season total to 6 1/2 through three games.
“The first half was as close to perfect as we could have scripted,” Goff said. “In the second half, we stumbled with mistakes and turnovers, but we managed to pull it together when it mattered.”
One key play was a hook-and-ladder just before halftime, which pushed the Lions to a 20-7 lead. Goff threw to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who lateraled to Jahmyr Gibbs for a 20-yard touchdown.
“We’ve practiced that one a lot,” Goff commented on the play. “It was the right moment to use it.”
Dan Campbell Anticipated a ‘Grimy, Gritty’ Game
Head coach Dan Campbell, in the same press conference, praised the Lions’ gritty performance and determination.
“We knew this game would be grimy and gritty,” Campbell said. “The O-line, D-line, receivers, and DBs had tough jobs, and that’s the game we got.”
“We’ve shown we can win in different ways,” Campbell added. “Each week presents a new challenge, but we’ll find ways to win through special teams, defense, or offense.”
