ALLEN PARK — Jared Goff’s two super powers are playing with the gray matter and the ability to pass in tight coverage. That’s how Lions coach Dan Campbell sees it.
With all due respect to Matthew Stafford, Patrick Mahomes and other stellar NFL quarterbacks, Goff has put together a stellar season through Week 10. He is rated first in the NFL in completion percentage (74); and second in passing TDs (20), passer rating (117.7) and passing first-down percentage (41.4).
“I just feel like he’s gotten better every year, So yeah, yes I do. I think he’s settled into a zone where he continues to take it up another notch,’’ coach Dan Campbell said on Wednesday. “(He) continues to get better, process information, the game slows down for him. He’s playing at a high level.’’
Campbell gave an example of Goff’s ability from Wednesday morning’s walk-through.
“This is the first taste of this gameplan going into Philly. It’s unbelievable what he’s able to grasp, retain, get us in the right play and literally (we) just gave it to him,’’ Campbell said. “He didn’t have time to digest, he’s running out on the field, now you’re walking through it.
“That’s one of his super powers, he plays with the gray matter and he’s got the ability to put it on the spot in tight coverage, I think that’s rare to have both,’’ Campbell said. “He knows what helps him and what makes him who he is. He’s got to be able to rely on that. He’s not a guy who’s – he’s not Lamar Jackson. He leans on what his abilities and skills are. He’s playing at a high level.’’
Goff said that’s a great compliment but he thinks it’s part of his job.
“I think it’s kind of like the baseline of what I’m supposed to do is retain it and be able to spit it out and then be able to kind of do my best to coach it on the field and help these guys where I can,’’ Goff said. “And yeah, I think walkthrough is extremely important. I try to take it pretty serious and make sure everyone’s doing what they’re supposed to do.”
In Sunday’s 44-22 rout at Washington, Goff was 24 of 33 for 320 yards, zero interceptions and a 135.9 rating. So far this season, he has thrown 20 touchdowns against just three interceptions — just one in the last five games.
Goff finds himself in elite company. He is one of two quarterbacks in NFL history to complete 74 percent of their passes, produce 20-plus passing TDs and have 3-or-fewer interceptions through the first nine games of any season. The other is Drew Brees from 2018.
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