3 Detroit Lions game balls for Week 15 against the New York Jets

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 18: Kalif Raymond #11 of the Detroit Lions returns a punt for a touchdown during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 18: Kalif Raymond #11 of the Detroit Lions returns a punt for a touchdown during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

2. QB Jared Goff

Over the last several weeks, right in obvious line with the Lions playing better, Goff has played cleaner football than literally every other quarterback in the league.

One of the most important aspects heading into Sunday’s game was Goff’s ability to avoid mistakes against a very tough Jets’ defense, since his passing numbers were not going to be great. He certainly missed a throw that would have been a touchdown to Jameson Williams, and for what it’s worth Pro Football Focus gave him a poor grade (51.8, the fourth-worst grade among Lions offensive players) for his performance.

But Goff completed around 60 percent of his passes (23-for-38) for 252 yards (however skewed by the game-winning 51-yard touchdown to Brock Wright) with no interceptions and a respectable, not awful passer rating of 88.9.

Goff’s primary responsibility against the Jets was to not get his team beat due to an avalanche of turnovers he accounted directly for (interceptions, sack-fumbles, etc.). He got that done, made a few key throws and the Lions went home from MetLife Stadium with a win for a second time this season.

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