There are two camps when it comes to Jared Goff. There are those who believe he is a quarterback the Lions can win both in the present and in the future. However, there are others who believe he is just a serviceable bridge quarterback who is not the long-term answer for the Lions. However, there is another question that I think should be on the table when it comes to Jared Goff.

Is Jared Goff actually an elite NFL quarterback? Your instant reaction answer would most likely be absolutely not.  However, what if I told you that this season, he has put up numbers that are either on par or better than other NFL quarterbacks who are considered elite.

Jared Goff: By the Numbers

Jared Goff is statistically having arguably the best season of his NFL career. Through 13 games, Goff has thrown for 3,352 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Furthermore, Goff has a passer rating of 97.9, a QBR of 61.2, and a yards per attempt of 7.6.

This season Goff ranks:

–8th in the NFL in passing yards

– 9th in the NFL in yards per attempt

–tied for 5th in the NFL in touchdown passes

–6th in the NFL in QBR

–7th in the NFL in passer rating

The numbers play out that Jared Goff has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this season. Does that make him an elite QB? Not necessarily.  However, let’s compare these numbers to other NFL quarterbacks who are considered elite.

Jared Goff: Comparison to other Quarterbacks

This season, Goff has:

-more passing yards than Aaron Rodgers

– a higher yards per attempt than Lamar Jackson

– more touchdown passes than Justin Herbert

– a higher QBR than Joe Burrow

–a higher passer rating than Josh Allen

Am I saying that Jared Goff is better than any of those quarterbacks? Absolutely not. However, he is having a season that is right on par with the season’s those eliter quarterbacks mentioned above are having.

Detroit Lions: 5-1 Stretch

After a 1-6 start, the Detroit Lions are 5-1 in their last 6 games. Furthermore, that stretch of 5-1 football has put the Lions right into the playoff race. It just so happens that Jared Goff has played some of his best football of the season over the last 6 games. In the last 6 games he has 10 TD passes and just 1 interception which comes to a blistering touchdown to interception ratio of 10:1. Furthermore, in the last 6 games, Goff has

–2 games wth a completion percentage of over 70%

-3 games with a yards per attempt over 8

-3 games with a passer rating of over 100

–4 games with a QBR of over 70

As you can see, Goff has played great football when the Lions have been winning. Coincidence? I think not.

Jared Goff: Conclusions

Do I think Jared Goff is an elite NFL quarterback? As of right now I would still say no. However, he is playing like a top 10 NFL quarterback this season. Furthermore, if Goff continues this level of play, he could absolutely enter the pantheon of elite NFL quarterbacks down the road. For now, let’s just enjoy watching Jared Goff play his best football of his career with the Detroit Lions.

Photo Credit: Lon Horwedel