Three and Out: Goff's MVP candidacy, Lions' pass rush could both use more
Here are three observations after a second viewing and a night to ponder the Detroit Lions’ 31-29 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
MVP discussion, Part II
History is repeating itself.
A year ago, almost to the day, I wrote an analysis piece for the Detroit News evaluating the legitimacy of quarterback Jared Goff’s early-season MVP candidacy. Well, here we go again.
Though six games last season, Goff had led the Lions to an identical 5-1 start, completing 69.5% of his passes for 1,618 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions, tallying up for a 105.1 passer rating.
This year, Goff’s completed a blistering 73.6% of his throws for 1,610 yards, 10 scores and four picks. The counting stats are down a touch, but the efficiency is up, with a 111.5 passer rating.
Goff caught Vegas off guard a year ago and his hot start forced the oddsmakers to finally take notice. Still, after six weeks, he was well behind the favorites at +1,800. This year, he started with stronger odds and sits at +800 after Sunday’s win. Only Patrick Mahomes (+350), Josh Allen (+500) and Lamar Jackson (+500) have better odds.
Any conversation at this point of the year will center around sustainability. Goff’s 2023 candidacy lost its momentum almost immediately with a Week 7 dud against Baltimore, which was also the second in an eight-game stretch where he didn’t have more than two touchdown passes.