By George B. Eichorn
The old saying that records are made to be broken certainly applies to the 2024 edition of the Detroit Lions.
Sunday’s spanking of the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars, 52-6, had media and fans scurrying to NFL and Lions record books.
Quarterback Jared Goff and his offense set a franchise record with 645 yards in the game. The plus-46 margin of victory was also a team record. The Lions are now 9-1 and you have to go back to 1934 – the team’s first year in Detroit after their move from Ohio – when they had a won-loss record like this year.
That’s not all. Goff achieved more notoriety. He’s the only QB in NFL history to record multiple games of 400 or more passing yards AND a perfect passer rating of 158.3. He achieved this once before, as a Los Angeles Ram, in beating the Minnesota Vikings 38-31 in Week 4 in 2018.
“I really think we pulled on each other today and played some of our best ball,” said Lions head coach Dan Campbell following the win.Receiver Amon-Ron St. Brown was again a favorite target of Goff’s. He scored two touchdowns and caught all 11 passes thrown his way; accounting for 161 yards. St. Brown has a touchdown in eight consecutive Lions games.
The Detroit aerial onslaught also featured Jameson Williams with 4 catches, 124 yards and a touchdown. His 64-yard score and celebration got the sold out Ford Field crowd hooting and hollering. Goff now has 20 TD passes to go alonmg with 9 interceptions.
Running backs David Montgomery – who the fans on hand received his replica bobblehead – and Jahmyr Gibbs once again rose to the poccasion. Montgomery had 15 carries, 75 yards and 2 TD’s. Gibbs recorded 69 yards on 11 carries and 1 TD. It’s obvious now that the Lions are a two-headed monster in both the running and passing game.
On defense, Kirby Joseph recorded his league-leading seventh interception and the 15th of his young career. New defensive end Za’Darius Smith who sat out the previous week in Houston, contributed half a sack, 3 pressures, 1 QB hit and 1 solo tackle.
The bad news was the loss of starting linebacker Alex Anzalone who suffered a broken left forearm on Sunday. The Lions previously lost defensive end and sacks leader Aidan Hutchinson. Yet this resilient team has signed Smith and linebacker David Long in place of two fallen defensive stars.
Yes, more Lions records will be broken or set if this offensive surge (thanks Ben Johnson) and constantly improving defense – coordinated by Aaron Glenn continues. The club needs to average 38.7 points per game in their final seven to eclipse the record set by the 2013 Denver Broncos for most points scored in one season. Campbell thinks the offense can break the Broncos record.
“I think we have that ability,” Campbell said following the blowout victory. “I really do. I think we have the ability. To me, we have everything that we need to be potent.”
The Lions are the new no. 1 in the USA Today NFL power rankings after Sunday’s win and Kansas City’s loss to Buffalo. And the Lions are now the favorite to represent the NFC at the Super Bowl LIX on February 9 in New Orleans.
Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com or @Sandgsports99 on X (formerly Twitter). Order his book:
Detroit’s Sports Broadcasters: On the Air: Eichorn, George B, Introduction Harwell, Ernie.
