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Jared Goff on loss to Bills and dealing with injuries moving forward
Lions quarterback Jared Goff spoke exclusively with Dan Miller on Monday to break down the loss to the Bills, the injuries on defense, and bouncing back against the Bears.
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (FOX 2) - The Detroit Lions are sitting at 12-2. They still hold the best record in the NFC and, if they can win two out of their next three, they'll still have home field advantage. Despite all of that, there is a bit of a cloud hanging over Ford Field after Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Bills.
Running back David Montgomery joined the Lions' injured list on Monday – going down with an MCL injury – as did defensive tackle Alim McNeill, cornerback Carlton Davis III, and reserve cornerback and key special teams player Khalil Dorsey. They're all expected to be done for the season and postseason.
But the leader of the Lions isn't going anywhere. Quarterback Jared Goff is still lining up under center – or in shotgun as is much more likely – and on Sunday, he threw for 494 yards with five touchdowns, becoming the first player in NFL history to perform such a feat in a loss.
Sunday night, Goff said this could be a wake-up call for the Lions.
"Maybe it's a good wakeup call for us," Goff said. "Nice little recalibration for us. Now we get to go on the road. We had some nice home games we just finished up but now we get to go on the road and it's us against everyone else again and come together and get a bit tighter and move on."
On Monday, he admits that the offense was sluggish to start the game – which ultimately cost them in the end.
"I thought we ran into a team that played pretty dang well against us and we didn't play as well as we can. And you know, they came out and got after us early there. And I think that was kind of the difference was early in that game we were sluggish on offense and we're playing from behind all game," Goff said.
The Lions had won 11 straight prior tot he loss – and it was their first loss in three months.
"I think it's just a reality check. You know, nobody in this league is immortal and you can be beaten on any any given week and have to make sure you come with your A-game no matter who it is. Of course, it's a great opponent. We were ready to play, but they came out and gave it to us," Goff said.
Despite the loss, there was a big bright spot in a touchdown pass to lineman Dan Skipper.
"That was cool. Yeah, it was one we had worked on all week and it wasn't like we were trying to force him the ball. It just happened, you know, that was the way that played and played out and he made a great play," Goff said.
Sunday night, head coach Dan Campbell said he didn't have his guys ready. It was similar to what he said about the loss to the Buccaneers in week two. Goff's response was simple – it's not all on Campbell.
"It's on us to make sure we're ready to play. Sure, he's the head coach and I'm sure I know I love when he takes accountability, but now we got to get ourselves ready to play a little bit. And certainly early on in that game, I think was kind of the difference. They came out and kind of punched in the mouth and we responded. We did, but it just was too little, too late," Goff said.
The next challenge for the Lions is in Chicago to take on the Bears followed by another road trip to San Francisco. The final game of the season is back home in Detroit against the Minnesota Vikings in a game that could determine everything for the NFC playoffs. Goff said the Lions will be ready.
"We respond well. We do. This group responds. We know how to respond. We know what it takes. I think Dan leads the charge in that way and we will respond this week," he said.