The Detroit Lions did just enough to win in Week 1, but were unable to duplicate that feat on Sunday, falling 20-16 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Lions outgained the Buccaneers 463-216, but they only managed one touchdown in seven red zone trips. They were often undone by poor play calls in key moments.
Multiple times, Ben Johnson dialed up head scratching calls, choosing not to target Sam LaPorta, who finished with just 13 yards on two catches. Johnson waited too long to turn David Montgomery loose, and struggled balancing the run and pass, with Jared Goff throwing 55 times in spite of a potential advantage up front.
As the Lions were trying to drive for the winning touchdown, Johnson's curious play calling was spotlighted.
no clue about Ben Johnson play calls today:
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 15, 2024
DET 1st down at the Bucs 13 down 4 with 1:17 to go:
1st down: -4 air yard pass to RB, lost 4 yds
2nd & 14: 5 air yd pass, gains 5 yds
3rd & 9: -5 air yd pass to RB, gains 1 yd
4th & 8: 4 air yd pass to RB, gains 5 yds
TB ball
Johnson was unable to dial up the right plays to get the winning touchdown this time. If there was one reason for lack of execution in the red zone all day, Johnson's inconsistency with regard to play calls and targeting the right weapons in the right moments stand as it.
Jared Goff shares the blame for Detroit Lions' early problems on offense
It isn't just Johnson struggling. Goff has had a putrid start to 2024. Through two games, he has thrown one touchdown and three interceptions and has collected just 524 yards, looking like a far cry from the feel-good story he has been the last two years.
He has made plenty of poor decisions, too, short-arming throws and throwing into coverage. There's been too many errors from the quarterback position for the Lions to be successful offensively to start the season. Goff needs to clean things up in a big way.
Dan Campbell took blame for a botched sequence near the end of the first half that prevented the Lions from putting critical points on the board, but once again, Goff singled out his need to improve.
"We had plenty of opportunities to overcome that and make the plays to win the game. I know he's going to be hard on himself. As players, we got to be better. I got to be better. I got to pick him up. I got to pick up other guys. Other guys have to pick me up. That's how we win. Unfortunately, we couldn't overcome too many mistakes today."
Campbell said he has faith in Goff finding a way to turn things around.
"He'll rebound. Has he played better? Yeah he's played better. But I know him. He never stays down. He's going to be in immediately. He's going to look at it tonight. He's going to come in tomorrow. He's going to take ownership. He's going to be better. That's the way he is wired. It's what makes him who he is."
Johnson and Goff have been as critical to the Lions' success as any two people. But they both have some work to do after Sunday.
