Jared Goff turned in a flawless 18-of-18 performance in front of a primetime audience as the Lions earned a 42-29 victory over the Seahawks on “Monday Night Football” in Week 4. And while Goff displayed perfection in the win, he did not receive the game ball from head coach Dan Campbell postgame.
It’s no secret that Campbell’s hard-nosed approach has almost single-handedly fueled Detroit’s resurgence to become an NFL power, but the decision not to give the game ball to Goff was not one of Campbell’s intense motivational tactics.
When he spoke with the media postgame, Campbell made a hilariously honest admission in real-time: He knew Goff was impeccable, but did not know his QB had displayed perfection on a national stage.
NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
“I just gave the game ball to somebody else, so I feel awful,” Campbell said when asked about Goff’s 18-of-18 showing. “I knew he played a heck of a game but I did not realize he was perfect. I did not know he was literally 18-for-18.”
Coach Campbell on Jared Goff’s performance tonight pic.twitter.com/QCwkneojX8
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 1, 2024
Campbell’s intensity is almost always at a high, so it makes sense that he would be so locked into the game that he may not have realized just how special of a performance Goff was turning in.
If you’re wondering who could have received the honors over Goff, Campbell handed out game balls to Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson, WR Jameson Williams and DB Kerby Joseph.
Lining ’em up and knocking ’em off pic.twitter.com/59tOia82Yi
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 1, 2024
Goff may not have gotten a game ball in Week 4, but the former No. 1 pick is probably more than happy with the win and the fact that he has rewritten the NFL’s history book.
WEEK 5 FANTASY RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Jared Goff stats vs. Seahawks
Goff made NFL history for most attempts without an incompletion Monday. He completed all 18 pass attempts for 292 yards and two touchdown and also hauled in the first receiving touchdown of his career
| Stat | Total |
| Completions/Attempts (%) | 18/18 (100%) |
| Passing yards | 292 |
| Yards/attempt | 16.2 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer rating | 155.8 |
| Receptions | 1 |
| Receiving yards | 7 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 1 |
