Jared Goff throws a perfect game to set the NFL record for Lions wins

DETROIT — A part of Dan Campbell felt remorse Monday night — after he didn’t save a piece of NFL history.

Quarterback Jared Goff had a perfect game, setting an NFL record by completing all 18 passes to help the Detroit Lions defeat the Seattle Seahawks 42-29 for the first time since 2012.

By the time Campbell realized the importance of Goff’s efficient play throughout, it was too late — he had already rewarded wide receiver Jameson Williams and safety Kirby Joseph with game reels in the locker room.

“I gave the game ball to someone else, so I feel bad,” Campbell said. “I knew he played a great game. I didn’t realize he was perfect. I didn’t know he was 18 versus 18, but I knew he played really well. You could feel it. He really found his rhythm.” early.”

Kurt Warner held the previous NFL record for passes without an incompletion, going 10-for-10 for Arizona against Houston in 2005.

Goff can’t remember another time at any level of his playing career that he finished a game with a perfect pass.

“Never. I don’t think I’ve ever done that before. I knew I did it in the first half of last week, so I was aware of it at the time,” said Goff, who threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns. “And I was kind of aware of it today, about halfway through the third quarter. I was like, ‘I couldn’t think of one,’ but then I threw the ball out of bounds that ended up getting into offensive pass interference and I was like, ‘Does that count?’ ? “I didn’t know if it was important or not, but yeah, it’s a good day.”

It was a special day for Goff. During the third quarter, he caught his first career touchdown on a short pass from Amon-Ra St. Brown, something Goff said had never happened since he started playing football at age 7.

The play helped the Lions become the first team to have a 100% completion rate in a game while multiple players are throwing passes since at least 1933, according to ESPN research.

Goff and St. Brown said the play was dubbed “Alcatraz” by offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and the duo was happy to execute it in prime time after practicing it on several different occasions but never finding a playing situation to pull it off. on.

“It wasn’t a very difficult route. It was like a little wheel route, late dropout. For this route, I’d give it a 7 out of 10,” said St. Brown, who caught six passes for 45 yards. And landing. “It wasn’t too difficult to handle.”

Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow was ruled out with a partially torn pectoral muscle, but Detroit’s offensive line stepped up with veteran linebacker Graham Glasgow shifting to center and Kayode Awosika starting at left guard.

Goff took advantage of the time and space inside the pocket, going 14-for-14 for 270 yards and two touchdown passes.

His receivers also found space, and he was able to complete eight wide-open passes of 5 or more yards, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

One of those led to a 70-yard touchdown to Williams at 2:52 in the third quarter that gave Detroit a 35-20 advantage.

“I gave the match ball to someone else, so I feel bad. I knew he played a tough game. I didn’t realize he was perfect. I didn’t know he was 18 versus 18.”

Lions coach Dan Campbell

Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 78 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also didn’t realize Goff’s perfect day until later.

“This is crazy, I didn’t realize it until the end of the game. I was like, ‘I haven’t seen the ball hit the ground yet,'” Gibbs said. “And that’s when I found out. It’s amazing. I’m happy for him.”

After the win, Goff found humor in Campbell as he awarded game balls to other players on the roster. He walked out of Ford Field with his head held high as the Lions improved to 3-1 in the bye week.

“It’s okay. We’ll see. Maybe he’ll make it up, but that’s okay,” Gove said. “I’m glad we got the win.”