Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions were hoping to improve to 3-1 against the Carolina Panthers. Instead, Detroit suffered a frustrating 32-26 defeat after Carolina's offense repeatedly found ways to move the ball. Goff threw for 412 yards and a touchdown, but the Lions could not overcome their defensive struggles.

The biggest problems had little to do with Goff. Detroit allowed 445 total yards, including 329 through the air, while Tetairoa McMillan exploded for 192 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers also scored on six consecutive possessions, while Detroit's offense settled for four field goals and struggled to finish drives.

Still, the Lions had one final opportunity to steal the victory. After the defense finally forced a punt, Goff received the ball with 2:12 remaining and drove Detroit to the Panthers' 18-yard line. However, the offense failed to convert on fourth down, allowing Carolina to seal the victory.

Despite everything that went wrong around him, Goff immediately turned the blame inward. The Lions quarterback admitted that he felt responsible for not finishing the final drive and giving Detroit the win.

"Just getting the ball with two minutes and a chance to win it, that's all we want. It feels like I let us down a little bit, not scoring there at the end to win the game."

Goff's comments show just how much he expects from himself in those moments. Even after producing 412 yards without an interception, the veteran quarterback believed he should have done more.

Jared Goff and the Lions Must Respond Quickly

The defeat drops Detroit to 2-2 and exposes issues that extend well beyond the quarterback. The defense must improve, particularly after allowing another 30-point performance.

For Goff, though, the focus will remain on execution. Detroit will need its quarterback and defense to bounce back quickly if it wants to avoid falling further behind in the NFC North.

Written by

Joseph Nithin