Jared Goff put on a show during the Detroit Lions’ thrilling victory over the Seattle Seahawks, achieving an incredible 18-for-18 passing for 292 yards and two touchdowns. This spectacular performance not only helped the Lions secure a 42-29 win but also set a new NFL record for the most completions in a game without an incompletion.
Flawed Metrics: Understanding Passer Ratings
As noted by Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit, despite his flawless completion rate, Goff’s passer rating landed at 155.8, just shy of the perfect 158.3 mark. This anomaly occurred because a quarterback needs to meet specific statistical criteria to achieve a perfect passer rating, including a touchdown percentage of at least 11.875%. Goff’s two touchdowns netted him a touchdown rate of only 11.1%, falling a hair short of that requirement. Critics argue that the passer rating system can sometimes mislead, suggesting that even if Goff had thrown an incompletion, he could still have maintained a completion percentage that qualifies under overall passing standards.
The Complexity of Jared Goff Achieving Perfection
Goff’s performance was highlighted by a unique twist: a trick play where he caught a touchdown pass thrown by Amon-Ra St. Brown. This play not only showcased Goff’s versatility but also emphasized the Lions’ innovative offensive approach. It’s a clear reminder that success on the field often stems from teamwork and collaboration, rather than just individual stats.
Contextual Performance Metrics
The NFL’s passer rating system is frequently viewed as somewhat arbitrary, boiling a quarterback’s performance down to a number that doesn’t always capture true effectiveness. Jared Goff’s outstanding night becomes even more impressive when we recognize that no quarterback has achieved a perfect passer rating under similar circumstances. His stats, while exceptional, illuminate the limitations of conventional metrics in assessing quarterback performance.
Resources for Further Exploration
For those intrigued by Goff’s record-setting night, check out these sources for deeper insights:
