Three and out: Goff running out of boxes to check, expectations if Lions acquire Smith, and identity validated in rain

(Getty Images)

Allen Park — Here are three observations after a second viewing and a night to ponder the Detroit Lions’ 24-14 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Running out of tests to pass

Count me among those who were skeptical about how quarterback Jared Goff would handle Sunday’s conditions. At the top of the list was his recent ball security issues in the pocket, which I worried could be worsened by the steady rain that had been forecasted for the contest.

The rain did end up being a factor, but not for Goff. While Packers quarterback Jordan Love struggled to handle multiple snaps, Goff was sharp, not just with his grip of the ball, but the accuracy of his throws, never putting it in harm’s way against the league’s most opportunistic defense.

“I thought we handled it great,” Goff said. “Having no turnovers again is pretty remarkable in that weather and we’ve been doing it all year and have to keep doing it.”

Wearing gloves on both hands to enhance his handle, Goff made it clear during the team’s first drive that he wasn’t going to play conservatively in the conditions, ripping a pass down the middle to Sam LaPorta for 19 yards.

Those downfield throws were view and far between, but that’s not what the game plan and weather demanded. Slow and steady was going to win the race, and Goff has embraced that, even if it goes against the inherent mindset of a quarterback.