The Detroit Lions delivered an impressive performance in their recent game against the Chicago Bears, winning decisively with a score of 52-21. This match produced an array of remarkable statistics, but perhaps the most striking is the Lions’ achievement of 8.8 yards per play, a new franchise record. This record is particularly astounding considering the team's offensive prowess in recent seasons.
Among the standout performances was that of quarterback Jared Goff, who had a near-flawless game. Goff completed 23 of 28 passes for an impressive 334 yards, five touchdowns, and an exceptional 156.0 passer rating. Notably, he was not sacked during the game and added six rushing yards with a scramble. According to Aaron Schatz from FTN Fantasy, Goff's performance was not only significant for the game but also historic for the Detroit Lions franchise.
The statistic that highlights Goff's performance is DYAR, which stands for Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement. This metric measures a quarterback's performance against a baseline of average players. Each week, Schatz publishes the DYAR for every quarterback, along with statistics for the top receivers and running backs. In Week 2, Goff achieved the highest DYAR at 258, with the nearest competitor, Daniel Jones, at 139. This marks a historic moment for any Lions quarterback, as Schatz noted that Goff had one of the top two DYAR games since the inception of these statistics in 1978.
Schatz highlighted that while adjustments for opponent strength will be made later in the season, Goff's current performance ranks as the second-best DYAR game by a Detroit Lions quarterback since 1978. The only performance that surpasses it was by Scott Mitchell against a strong Vikings defense in 1995, where he achieved 288 DYAR on 30 of 45 passing with 395 yards and four touchdowns. This statistic underscores just how rare and valuable Goff's performance was, as it has been nearly three decades since a Lions quarterback has displayed such efficiency.
Should the Chicago Bears defense prove to be a formidable unit throughout the season, Goff's exceptional performance could potentially overshadow Mitchell’s historic game from 1995. Lions head coach Dan Campbell echoed the sentiment of Goff's outstanding display, stating, “We’ve got a guy who—he makes it right, he sees it fast, he lays it up. I thought Goff played out of his mind; it was awesome. He was composed, he was on point, and I just thought he commanded the offense to precision—it was great to see.”
With such a remarkable performance in Week 2, it is likely that Goff will receive well-deserved accolades in the coming week. The Detroit Lions are making headlines not only for their victory but also for the impressive individual performances that are contributing to the team’s success. Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see how Goff and the Lions continue to develop as the season progresses.
