Jared Goff struggled in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. He threw three interceptions, and the Detroit Lions were stunned in a 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders. Goff and the Lions entered the playoffs with one of their best seasons and a 15-2 record. Many thought they would be favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. But the Commanders pulled off a shocking upset, defeating the Lions on the road. Detroit enters the offseason with many questions regarding their coaching staff and defense. But another question looms about quarterback Jared Goff, after his playoff struggles.
Jared Goff’s Playoff Performance

Jared Goff threw for 313 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions in the loss. Goff did not play an awful game, but crucial turnovers cost his team in a high-scoring game. Detroit held a 7-3 lead, but Goff fumbled on a sack in the red zone and turned the ball over. Goff redeemed his mistake on their next possession with a touchdown drive to take the lead back. He threw a deep pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown and a two-yard touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta. But this was the last time the Lions would hold a lead in this game.
On Detroit’s next drive, Jared Goff threw his first and worst interception. A pass intended for Tim Patrick was intercepted and taken back for a Commanders’ touchdown. Meanwhile, Goff took a hit during the play and was briefly taken out of the game. Teddy Bridgewater entered as quarterback while Goff was out, and Detroit scored on a reverse play to Jameson Williams. When Jared Goff reentered, he drove down the field before throwing his second interception in the endzone. This put Detroit in a 10-point hole heading into halftime.
In the second half, the Lions went on another touchdown drive, but their defense could not get consistent stops. The Commanders’ defense was not getting stops either, but Jared Goff was turning the ball over. He threw his third interception that effectively sealed the game. The Lions were in the red zone, trailing by 14, and Goff’s third interception ended the game. The Commanders held on for the 45-31 win. The defense surrendering 45 points is not ideal, but Goff’s three interceptions and fumble completely changed the game. If Goff and the Detroit offense took care of the ball, the outcome of this divisional round could have been very different.
Ben Johnson and the Defense

Many Lions fans and people around the NFL have blamed the defense and even Ben Johnson. For the defense, blame is deserved. They gave up 45 points, meaning that once Washington took the lead, Detroit had to play from behind. They also got a crucial 12-men-on-the-field penalty on a fourth down. But people have also blamed Johnson for an overreliance on trick plays, making Williams and others throw the ball. However, the reason for these plays was that Jared Goff was not cutting it. Goff was turning it over, so Johnson felt the reasonable need to try something else to create the big plays that Goff could not.
Jared Goff Without Ben Johnson

Looking ahead to the offseason, it is an interesting one for the Lions. The oxffensive and defensive coordinators are expected to take head coaching jobs. This means that Jared Goff will be left with a new offensive coordinator and play caller. Some fear that the loss of Ben Johnson could be a huge detriment to Goff and the Lions offense. His innovative play calling unlocked a version of Jared Goff that had not been seen before. But without Johnson, some fear that Goff will revert to his old ways that he showed in a disappointing divisional round loss.