For the first time in franchise history, after another blowout win in Week 11, the Detroit Lions are the betting favorite to win the Super Bowl.
Jared Goff is a leader in the locker room, and wasted no time setting the proper tone. Speaking on 97.1 The Ticket's "Karsch and Anderson" program Tuesday, the quarterback was asked what being the betting favorite to win the Super Bowl means at this point in the season.
"Absolutely zero. Nothing. Nothing. Zero. Nothing. What does it mean right now? I mean, someone else was the (Super Bowl) favorite (in) Week 1, so what does it mean for them? Like, I don't know. Yeah, (it) means nothing."
While the Lions are 9-1, it's too early to be proclaiming any team a favorite to win the Super Bowl and the they have to focus on finishing the regular season strong, with the more immediate goals of another NFC North title and the top seed in the NFC playoffs.
Credit to Goff for not taking any bait about the boosted Super Bowl odds for the Lions.
Jared Goff looking forward to improving even more down the stretch
Instead of worrying about their status as the Super Bowl favorite, the Lions continue to focus on where they can improve. Last week, Ben Johnson challenged his offense to sharpen up and deliver. With 645 yards against Jacksonville, they clearly listened. Already this week, head coach Dan Campbell noted how there's constant room for improvement.
Goff has a similar call for his team this week, even in spite of a 52-6 victory in which not much went wrong.
"There's a ton of chances to get better. I think every play provides some chances to get better, even if it's something as simple for me as ball location or my feet or my eyes. Every single play, there's going to be something you can find and the great ones will find ways to get better. The great teams will, and we're currently still in this race to improve. We talk all the time about 'how can we keep getting better and better and better by the time the tournament starts?' And (I believe) we can get at our best then."
At this point, it's too early for the Lions to be worrying about the Super Bowl. Goff understands there are no laurels to rest on right now.