ALLEN PARK — Through 14 wins and even the five losses, Lions quarterback Jared Goff has been the coolest guy in the building when the temperature rises and the game is on the line.
It was never more apparent than in the Divisional Round win, 31-23, over the Buccaneers on Sunday at Ford Field, especially in the fourth quarter.
The game was tied at 17-17 to start the final 15 minutes. That’s when Goff draped a Superman cape across his shoulders and went 11-of-12 for 131 yards including a spectacular 9-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown.
“It’s the way he’s made. I think that’s one of those traits that I believe he learned over time. Look I don’t know, maybe from his father maybe it started there, just his experience, his time playing the game at a high level in big games, understanding what’s coming next,’’ coach Dan Campbell said on Monday. “He does do a great job. He does stay calm, he does stay cool. He knows even if it feels a little shaky, a little rocky, it will smooth out and we keep playing ball.’’
The coach said it’s one of the reasons Goff had that remarkable display in the fourth quarter.
“He can hang in there, he’ll get in a rhythm, he’ll start finding some throws and get hot for us,’’ Campbell said.
The Lions will need the same poise from Goff when they play at the 49ers in the NFC Championship game at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Goff is the third quarterback in franchise history to win multiple playoff games, joining QBs Tobin Rote (1957) and Bobby Layne (1953, 1952).
Zach Ertz signed
Veteran tight end Zach Ertz was signed to the Lions practice squad on Monday to fill the gap after tight end Brock Wright broke his forearm in Sunday’s win over the Bucs.
Ertz, 33, played for Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden while they were with the Arizona Cardinals. So there is familiarity.
Ertz started seven games for the Cardinals in this 2023 season and then was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 24 and waived on Nov. 30.
He was drafted in the second round in 2013 by the Philadelphia Eagles and played there until he was traded to the Cardinals in October 2021.
In his career he played 151 games with 113 starts. He has 709 catches for 7,434 yards and 46 touchdowns. He has played in eight postseason games with 36 receptions for 381 yards and two touchdowns.
Eardrum check
The fans came through big-time at both playoff games at Ford Field. It, of course, has not gone unnoticed.
“The eardrums were just banging. The only thing I thought is, I would get a blown-out eardrum, we’ll work on that next year,’’ Campbell said.
The crowd and the noise was his vision, where he wanted to go.
“For all the Lions fans, this was the whole idea,’’ Campbell said. “I know everybody’s been dying for it for so long. This is the point because of what we just saw in those last two playoff games.
“The environment in there is better than any you’re going to find in the NFL, back-to-back weeks.
Injury update
Guard Jonah Jackson underwent surgery for a minor meniscus tear in his knee, per an ESPN.com report. He’s expected to miss the NFC Championship game on Sunday at the 49ers.
However, Campbell said there’s a chance he might be able to play in the Super Bowl on Feb. 11 if the Lions beat the 49ers. He said it depends on how quickly it heals. “The timeline could be there,’’ Campbell said.
Lions Lowdown 