7 Detroit Lions who must play well in Week 5 vs. the Patriots

1. QB Jared Goff

No need to rehash how good Goff has been so far this season. But this game made our list of games that would define his 2022 season for a reason.

In Super Bowl LIII against the Patriots, obviously when he was with the Rams, Goff had an awful outing. It’s not an understatement to say it was the turning point in his tenure as the Rams’ quarterback, and pushed Sean McVay toward realizing he needed an upgrade under center to win a Super Bowl.

Bill Belichick found a formula to neuter Los Angeles’ offense, and Goff has struggled in three career games against the Patriots (49-for-95 for 527 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions combined, with nine total sacks taken).

Via Ben Raven of MLive, Goff is not dwelling on his history against Belichick.

"He’s by all accounts the best if not one of the best,” Goff said Wednesday. “And I’ve had my experiences against him, and it’s always been a tough game and he’ll always have something for us. So, we’ll see what it is, but we’ll be ready.”"

Two of the three interceptions Goff has thrown this season have been pick-sixes, and the Patriots had one off of Aaron Rodgers in Week 4.

Goff needs to avoid mistakes that will tilt field position and give New England extra possessions to grind game clock, or lead directly to decisive scores.

He doesn’t have to throw for 300 yards for the Lions to win on Sunday. But Goff does need to have a clean outing, in what is sure to be a tight game decided in small margins.