There are a lot of small issues with the Lions' offense right now, and Dan Campbell thinks one has to do directly with his quarterback.
Jared Goff has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in the NFL over the last couple seasons, really two-plus seasons dating back to late in 2021. That version of him has been largely missing over the first two games this season, despite the fact he's fourth in the league in passing yards and the Lions' offense is second in total offense thus far.
In Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Goff's raw yardage total (307) was overshadowed by two interceptions (could have been more), averaging 5.6 yards per attempt and just generally not being sharp. Couple Goff's off-day with some less than ideal play calling from offensive coordinator Ben Johnson at times, and you have a recipe to go 1-for-7 in the red zone and lose by four points.
Goff is allowed to have an off day, and it's still early for an offense that did not play together in the preseason. There seems to be some very small margins that need honing, and once those kinks are worked out it will make a difference-especially in the red zone.
Dan Campbell hones in on small issue with Jared Goff through two games
Goff has thrown three interceptions over the first two games this season, and his second interception last Sunday against Tampa Bay was particularly bad. Since the start of the 2022 season, the Lions are 15-5 when he doesn't thrown an interception and 7-9 when he does.
Head coach Dan Campbell made his usual appearance on 97.1 The Ticket Tuesday morning. The struggles of the offense was an easy topic for him to be asked about from multiple angles, of course including Goff.
Campbell identified a small potential issue with Goff.
“I told him this yesterday," "One of the notes I wrote, ‘I’m like, man, I just feel like a couple of times you’re trying to do too much, is all.' He’s trying to keep the play alive little longer than need be, just a couple of things there that I felt like didn’t help us."
Of note along the line of Campbell's comment are some of Goff's deeper numbers through two games this season. We know he's bad when pressured, but check out these numbers from a clean pocket (h/t to Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit).
Pro Football Focus
Note: TWP stands for "turnover worthy plays", presented here as a rate
2023: 372-for-491, 4,051 yards, 28 TDs, 3 INTs, 116.1 passer rating, 0.8% TWP, 94.5 PFF grade
2024 (two games): 37-for-58, 361 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 74.0 passer rating, 4.8% TWP, 49.0 PFF grade
NFL Pro
Note: CPOE=Completion Percentage Over Expected; EPA=Expected Points Added
2023: +2.7% CPOE (8th), +0.31 EPA per dropback (4th)
2024 (two games): -6.5% CPOE (23rd), -0.06 EPA per dropback (27th)
PFF's turnover-worthy play rate from a clean pocket seems to show a little bit of Goff forcing things. The interior offensive line has also had better days than they had against Tampa Bay, and inside pressure will sink a pocket passer like Goff quickly.
Campbell was adamant about how close he thinks the Lions' offense is to really rolling. It truly has been small things that have added up in certain situations over the first two games, and Goff has nowhere to go but up from here.
