Goff has surging Lions going to great lengths
DETROIT — Jared Goff dropped back behind an offensive line that gave him plenty of time and threw deep twice, taking advantage of big-play receivers the Detroit Lions added for him this season.
The former Rams quarterback had a 41yard pass to rookie Jameson Williams and a 48-yard pass to DJ Chark for two of his three touchdown throws in the first half, leading the Lions to a 34-23 win over the NFC Northleading Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
The Vikings (10-3) needed a win or tie to clinch the division title. Kirk Cousins threw for 425 yards, including a franchise-record 223 to Justin Jefferson in 11 catches. But Dalvin Cook ran for just 23 yards in 15 carries, and Minnesota couldn’t stop Goff.
The Lions (6-7) have won five of six, their best stretch since their last postseason appearance in 2016. They have scored 25-plus points in five consecutive games for the first time since 1954.
Detroit traded up to draft Williams 12th overall and signed Chark to a one-year, $10million contract in free agency, believing they would bounce back from injuries.
“It changes our offense entirely when you have guys that are legit, vertical, home run threats,” said Goff, who was 27 for 39 for 330 yards. “We were able to show them both off to make those splash plays.”
Chark had a season-high six catches and 94 yards, showing what he can do after he was limited to playing four games in Jacksonville last year because of a broken ankle.
Williams had his first NFL reception a week after making his Detroit debut, 11 months after injuring his left knee playing for Alabama in the NCAA championship game.
“You can make up for things if you’re able to get the explosive passes, which we got,” coach Dan Campbell said.
Minnesota’s passing game did its part, but Cook struggled behind a banged-up line.
“We got to be better if we want to punch our ticket into the playoffs,” coach Kevin O’Connell said.