Jared Goff Reflects on Offensive Struggles in Loss to Rams
After the Detroit Lions’ defeat against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, quarterback Jared Goff addressed the media, providing insight into the team’s performance and the challenges they faced on the field.
Third Quarter Challenges
Goff pinpointed the team’s first down efficiency as a significant issue during the game. He noted, “Unfortunately, we had three drives. One of them had like a five-yard gain, while the other two were either one or zero yards on first down. That’s just tough.” He acknowledged the strength of the Rams’ defense, emphasizing that falling behind the sticks made it difficult to execute plays.
“Now, we had our chances to convert on third down,” he continued. “Would have liked to get that done still. But you lower your opportunities when you start behind like that.”
Run Game Concerns
When asked about the effectiveness of the run game, Goff admitted there was always room for improvement. “I think those guys would say they’d like to do a little bit more in the run game,” he said. “It’s not an indictment on anything; it’s just who we are. We want to be able to run the ball. There are times you wish you could get a bit more, but the game’s changed. Some days we run for 250 yards, and passing becomes a little harder. Today, we leaned on the passing game more.”
Looking Ahead with Optimism
With the Lions sporting an 8-6 record, Goff expressed optimism about the team’s future. “We’re still in it. We’ve got three games left. I’d like to win all three of them, but we’ve got to focus on winning the first one,” he stated.
He expressed confidence in the resilience of his teammates, highlighting their ability to bounce back from tough situations. “We’ve got a resilient group, man. We expect our fans to bring it for us in our next home game. It would be nothing better than entering the playoffs off a three-game win streak. But again, to win three, you’ve got to win one first,” Goff added.
First Half Success
Reflecting on the first half of the game, Goff noted that the Lions had a solid start. “We were leaning on them a bit. Certain runs were really good, and we were throwing well. Our guys were getting open, and we protected well, giving me time to get over the top a couple of times. It was a solid half, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough in the second half for us.”
Emotional Connection to the Rams
When asked if he felt any personal connection when playing against the Rams, Goff simply replied, “No.” It was a reminder of his focus on the game at hand, prioritizing the task over sentiment.
As the Lions prepare for their upcoming games, Goff’s reflections serve as both an analysis of the past and a commitment to improving moving forward. The focus is clear: winning the next game is paramount for the team’s playoff aspirations.
