Lions Game Ball, Unsung Hero of Week 4: Offense escapes from ‘Alcatraz’

We can just accept the fact that the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks will never play an ordinarily unremarkable game ever again. Not only did the Lions exact sweet revenge, dating back to the early days of the Legion of Boom, but the offense found their identity again. There were a number of worthy game ball and unsung hero candidates from the Lions 42-29 win but the offenses bounce back efforts dictated the most worthy recipients

Game Ball: Jared Goff

On the field, immediately after the game, ESPN’s Lisa Salters informed Jared Goff of his incompletion free evening to which he replied “Was I? There you go, it’s a good day when the ball doesn’t hit the ground.” Not only did Dan Campbell not know of his accomplishment, as evidenced by handing of his initial game balls to Jameson Williams and Kerby Joseph, but Goff didn’t even know while he was doing it. Eyes on the prize and he produced just about every time his number was called upon to the tune of an NFL record 18 completions without an incompletion.

Goff’s performance was quite the turnaround from two weeks ago when he threw 21 incomplete passes. The recalibration of the offense was for the better. Ben Johnson’s play calling was balanced and innovative, the team imposed their patented physicality, and Goff’s precision in distributing the ball led to the most efficient the offense has been this season. Goff orchestrated such an efficient attack that their +0.46 EPA/Play and +0.93 EPA/Pass in Week 4 were each not only more than any team has had in a game this season but also more than the Lions had in any game last season.

Dan Campbell eventually retroactively gave Goff a game ball on Tuesday for his historic night. But throughout the second half, I knew Goff was well on his way to receiving my game ball. Goff put on a clinic in the final two quarters by taking what was available and also striking a few balls over the middle of the field. Every throw mattered.

Jared Goff’s big time throw in the 4th Quarter with a one possession lead pic.twitter.com/4XXiv6z77T

— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) October 2, 2024

Despite the Lions rushing attack only accounting for 30 rushing yards on 10 carries (3.0 yards/carry) in the second half, Goff was six-of-six passing for 200 yards, two passing touchdowns, and a receiving touchdown. Goff’s six second half completions went to five different wide receivers—five of which went for over 20 passing yards. To top it off, the Lions scored 21 second half points after only scoring 19 second half points combined in their first three games (including 14 points in the dreaded third quarter). Goff’s performance was essential in putting nails in the coffin of the Seahawks and securing the win.

To put the finishing touches on Goff’s perfect night below are several statistical highlights:

• Goff’s 292 passing yards were also the most passing yards without an incompletion in NFL history
• Goff’s +21.9% completion percentage over expected is the highest mark in a game of his career (Next Gen Stats)
• Goff was most productive on play action (12/12, 229 yards, TD), on dropbacks over 2.5 seconds (15/15, 250 yards, 2 TD), and against the blitz (8/8, 203 yards, TD). (Next Gen Stats)
• The odds of Goff completing all 18 passes based on the completion probability of each attempt was 1 in 145 (0.69%) (Next Gen Stats)
• Jared Goff’s 16.2 yards per attempt tonight is a career high for him (Jeremy Reisman)
• In his last two games, Goff has completed 36-of-41 passes (87.8%). Over any two game span since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger, this ties for the second-highest completion percentage any QB has had when attempting at least 40 passes. (Lions PR)
• Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown became just the fifth duo with a pass and receiving touchdown each in the same game all-time (ESPN)
• Goff and St. Brown now have the ninth-most receptions in any QB-pass catcher’s first 50 games together (Lions PR). They are one reception behind Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Scott Mitchell and Herman Moore are also sixth on the list.

Unsung Heroes: Graham Glasgow and Kayode Awosika

The Lions defensive line has already faced their fair share of back-up offensive linemen this season, but for the first time this season, the Lions offense had to play a little game of musical chairs themselves. Based on the offense’s wildly-productive outing, you wouldn’t know the Lions offensive line had done some shuffling and were without All-Pro center Frank Ragnow and that’s a tribute to both Graham Glasgow and Kayode Awosika.

In Glasgow’s last five games, dating back to last year, he has started at least one game at left guard, center, and right guard. He has become one of the most underrated and dependable assets of the Campbell-Holmes regime.

Meanwhile, the last time Lions fan saw Awosika in game, he was a little overmatched in NFC Championship Game, allowing five total quarterback pressures. But when it mattered most, Awosika was the top interior back-up option against the Seahawks, and he responded to the coach’s trust by being nearly flawless in pass protection and allowing only one quarterback hurry.

Glasgow and Awosika were fantastic in pass protection, only allowing that one quarterback hurry. They also were the focal points at the heart of the Lions rushing attack throughout the day and helped spring some big gains with awareness and extra-effort blocks downfield. The Lions rushing offense in Week 4 ran in between the tackles on 50% of their rushing attempts, which was the highest clip of their season. It would’ve been their fourth highest percentage of runs in between the tackles all of last season.

On the Lions’ first touchdown drive of the game, the first play—a much-needed David Montgomery 11-yard plunge—the Lions went right behind Glasgow and Awosika. They did it again a few plays later on Jahmyr Gibbs’ 20-yard explosive run to get the Lions to the goal line. The next drive, Gibbs touchdown run was right off the butts of our unsung heroes, as well.

Everyone has seen the Montgomery Angry Run, but what you might not notice is Awosika scrambling downfield to grab a co-pancake block with Jameson Williams on Riq Woolen to free Man Montgomery for some extra yardage. Glasgow showed off his high level of football intelligence and hustle in the fourth quarter on the long Sam LaPorta screen. He helped clear the runway by peeling back on his pull block to pick up Dre’Mont Jones chasing LaPorta from behind. He’s always keeping his head on a swivel.

Glasgow and Awosika were rock solid in pass protection and made numerous key blocks to open up holes and helped to allow Ben Johnson the full arsenal of plays at his disposal against the Seahawks.