The Detroit Lions’ 20-17 win over the Packers did more than push them to 4-2. It also put Jared Goff squarely into the kind of conversation that usually belongs to the league’s flashiest quarterbacks.
Around the NFL, the MVP spotlight tends to fall on names like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Brock Purdy. Goff isn’t usually in that tier when people start tossing around award candidates, but the numbers are making it harder to ignore him.
Through six games, he has completed 150 of 223 passes, and his 112.5 passer rating ranks second in the NFL, trailing only Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. That kind of production reads like an MVP resume.
ESPN’s Ben Solak made the case for Goff as a sleeper candidate in a feature released Tuesday. He wrote that “Goff is far from a favorite at this stage, and rightfully so,” pointing to quarterbacks like Burrow who are “throwing the ball on every down.” Solak added, “If I’m making me guess today who will actually win the award at the end of the season, I think I’d take Burrow.”
Still, he left the door open for Goff to charge into the race. “But if the question is which player could emerge from the void of hype-less-ness and become a favorite by December, Goff seems like the obvious choice.”
The advanced numbers back up the argument too. On pure pass attempts, Goff has posted an 82.2 EPA, with Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence next at 59.6.
If Detroit keeps stacking wins, Goff’s case only gets stronger. Right now, he looks like the kind of quarterback who could turn a quiet start into a late-season MVP run.
In Other News...
Lions Trade Deadline Debate Comes Down To One Risky Cornerback Choice
The Colts decision to move on from Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner for future draft picks has only sharpened the trade deadline conversation around their roster, and it should have the Lions paying attention. If Indianapolis is truly in seller mode, Detroit could find itself looking at a rare opportunity to add help at cornerback, where a proven veteran or a younger high-end starter would fit a clear need as the deadline approaches.
Charvarius Ward and Sauce Gardner are the names to watch, and each comes with a different kind of gamble. Ward brings experience but also age, a serious concussion history and an expiring contract, while Gardners talent is obvious even if the price tag is not, with a hefty cap hit looming in 2026. For Detroit, the appeal is obvious, but so is the risk if Brad Holmes decides to make a move. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Trade Deadline Pressure Is Rising Around One Defensive Decision
With the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaching, the Lions are again being linked to help on defense, and the conversation starts with the same familiar question: how aggressive should they be about fixing the back end of the roster? Cornerback sits near the top of the shopping list, with linebacker and defensive tackle also drawing attention as the team weighs whether to add a proven piece or stand pat and trust its current group.
Sauce Gardner is part of the discussion because of a sharp dip in production with the Colts, while Charvarius Ward has also surfaced as a possible option despite the complications that come with an expiring contract and injury history. Those kinds of names show how wide the range of possibilities is for Detroit, from bigger swings at the position to more restrained moves that fit the long-term picture, and it leaves the Lions facing a deadline decision that could shape how the defense looks down the stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Why This Lions Start Looks Built To Last
The Lions early push has been about more than just a hot start. Their pass rush is beginning to look like a real strength, Jared Goff has been operating with impressive efficiency, and D.J. Reed has added stability on the back end, giving Detroit a more complete profile than the one it carried into the season. In a division where every team is trying to find a consistent edge, those improvements matter because they suggest the Lions are not simply winning games on emotion or momentum.
What makes this start especially interesting is how it lines up across the roster. Detroits defensive front is affecting quarterbacks more consistently, while Goff has been making the offense run smoothly against pressure, which helps explain why the Lions remain in such a strong position in the NFC North. The broader evaluation also points to where the gaps still are compared with the rest of the division, but the bigger takeaway is that Detroits current shape looks far sturdier than a typical fast start. [Read more 🡒]