6. Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are holding opposing quarterbacks to a stifling 187.5 passing yards per game thanks to good secondary play. Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas have been excellent in coverage with a combined 14 passes defended. Green Bay is average with just 17 sacks on the season but the Lions will want to keep an eye on linebackers Rashan Gary who is leading the team with 6.0 sacks and Preston Smith with 3.5.
Whenever Goff has faced the better defenses this season, he’s come up real short. Part of that has to do with D’Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown playing at less than 100 percent or not at all thanks to a list of injuries. He’ll probably be without Josh Reynolds this weekend and Swift will be limited. He lost a massive weapon in T.J. Hockenson too (traded to Minnesota), even though they never really pushed him as a vital cog of the offense as much as they could have. That said, they don’t have a tight end waiting in the wings to step up.
All things considered, Goff has still played well. His 63.9 completion percentage is a three-year low, but he’s on pace for 25 touchdowns and a 4,000 yard season. Goff’s 7.6 yards per completion average is the highest it’s been in four seasons. But the Lions have a brutal schedule coming up with Packers this weekend, followed by the Bears (who traded away big defensive talent), Giants and Bills.
