Quarterback Jared Goff helped the Detroit Lions rally from behind and earn a thrilling 26-23 win at the Houston Texans this past Sunday night. Of course, Goff throwing five interceptions during the game played a role in Detroit needing to complete a comeback in front of a prime-time television audience.
During a Tuesday appearance on Detroit sports radio station 97.1 The Ticket, Lions head coach Dan Campbell was asked if he has any concerns about his QB1 following what occurred at NRG Stadium.
"None," Campbell responded, as shared by Will Burchfield of Audacy. "Everybody’s going to think we’re crazy. You’re going to think I’m crazy. I'm telling you, he didn’t play a bad game. He played a pretty good game."
Campbell choosing to not publicly criticize Goff is understandable for multiple reasons. After all, analysts and reporters considered the 30-year-old a legitimate candidate to earn Most Valuable Player Award votes as recently as last week. Before Sunday night, Goff hadn't thrown a pick since Week 3. Meanwhile, the Lions are 8-1 and managed to beat a solid Texans (6-4) team even though Goff had his worst outing, to date, of the season.
"He’s going where we’re telling him to go with the ball and he’s putting it where we’re telling him to put it," Campbell added about Goff. "And then there’s a couple of these that get batted. ...He’s doing exactly what we’re asking him to do, so I’m not worried at all."
According to Pro Football Reference, Goff heads into Week 11 ranked 22nd in the NFL with a 54.2 adjusted QBR, third with a 104.4 passer rating and sixth with a 51.0% passing success rate on the campaign. Across Detroit's first nine games, he tossed 16 touchdown passes with nine interceptions.
"There are just these little circumstances that come into play," Campbell continued. "For me, I'm not going to tell him anything because I don't feel like this is, 'Oh man, what are you doing?' These weren't ill-advised throws."
As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Lions second among the betting favorites at +450 odds to win Super Bowl LIX. Detroit next hosts the 2-8 Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
