If there’s one debate that persists amongst NFL fans over the years, it is about Jared Goff’s standing amongst the league’s best quarterbacks. Now, one NFL analyst has sparked a broader debate about whether quarterbacks are judged by different standards, questioning Josh Allen's legacy.

Since being traded to the Detroit Lions, Goff has been one of the top quarterbacks in the league. Yet, he often gets overlooked by fans and analysts despite the numbers backing him up. Now, NFL analyst Neal Ruhl questions why other quarterbacks are not subjected to the same conversations as Goff and dragged the Buffalo Bills quarterback, Josh Allen.

“What’s it going to take for him to be accepted?” asked analyst Neal Ruhl. “Why isn’t everybody held to the same standard? Why isn’t Josh Allen?”

While one panelist did not agree with the question raised during the July 25 episode of the Big D Energy podcast by Woodward Sports Network, Ruhl disagreed and believed that they weren’t.

Goff has played as well as almost any quarterback over the last two seasons. During that span, he threw for 9,193 yards and 71 touchdowns. Only Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, and Peyton Manning have more 4,500-yard passing seasons than Goff’s five. Yet, people would still argue that no team could win the Super Bowl with him. 

Allen's legacy is challenged as he is consistently mentioned in the top three for quarterbacks in the league despite never reaching the Super Bowl game, just like Goff. However, Allen does have an MVP award, which Goff does not possess. 

What's interesting is how, in the last three seasons, which also includes Allen's MVP-winning year, Goff has more passing yards with 13,768 compared to Allen’s 11,705 yards.

Goff also threw for 101 touchdowns compared to Allen’s 82 touchdowns. Goff has also thrown fewer interceptions with 32, compared to Allen’s 34.

Goff is also a more efficient passer with a completion rate of 69.1% and an average passer rating of 104.8. Meanwhile, Allen has a 66.4% completion rate and an average passer rating of 98.1.

With Goff having a better offensive line than last season and an offensive coordinator who suits the Lions more in Drew Petzing, Goff could be set for another spectacular season and could lead the Lions to their first-ever Super Bowl. 

If Goff were to do so, the debate between Goff and the other top quarterbacks such as Josh Allen could end. However, if he wants those debates to end, Goff will still have to improve in one aspect.

A surprising stat of Jared Goff shows where he can improve 

There is no doubt that Goff has been one of the main reasons for the Lions becoming one of the best offensive teams in the NFL over the years. However, there has been one aspect where Goff has not been great. Comeback wins.

After an analysis by Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis on the best quarterbacks in the league in terms of winning games despite trailing in the second half of games, Goff was ranked as 21st overall with +0.04. 

Meanwhile, their divisional rivals, Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love and the Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams, were ranked second with a +0.31 and fifth with a +0.27, respectively, whereas Allen ranked fourth with a +0.28.

With five of Detroit’s eight losses being by single digits, there have been instances of Goff struggling in such situations, with the biggest example being the Lions’ loss to the 24-29 Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16.

Hopefully, with the revamped roster, especially the offensive line, Goff might become more effective in such situations.

What are your thoughts on Sharpe's take on Goff? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Dhruv Vishnu Nair

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar