Lions offensive lineman staunchly defend Jared Goff after loss to Commanders

In the Detroit Lions' disappointing season-ending loss to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round on Saturday night, no one person was to blame. Everyone could have done their job better, and everyone in that losing locker room knows it.

But the nature of the NFL pins the blame on the quarterback, and narratives get written when playoff losses occur. Jared Goff undeniably had a rough game against the Commanders, accounting for four turnovers as he completed just over half of his passes (23 for 40), although you could say the last of three interceptions was a residual of trailing by 14 and having to force things. But over 100 of his 313 passing yards came after Washington took a 45-28 lead in the fourth quarter.

Goff found words hard to come by after the game, as easily expected, but he also took ownership of his performance.

"It just sucks. Yeah, I wish I played a little bit better, wish I could have taken care of the ball a little bit better," Goff said. "Obviously, the pick-six is really the one I'd really like back -- that was just a poor decision by me. The other ones were just sometimes part of the game, but yeah, it's on me. I got to take care of it better and certainly would have given ourselves a better chance to win had I done that."

Lions offensive lineman take opportunities to defend Jared Goff

After the game on Saturday night, Lions center Frank Ragnow had the expected sentiment after a tough loss before he was asked about criticisms of Goff.

"I will ride with Jared Goff 'til the day I day, any aspect of life, football, no matter what it is," Ragnow said. "One of the most standup human beings, players, leaders, you name it, and I'll always have his back." 

As Lions' players cleaned out their lockers on Sunday, right tackle Penei Sewell hit a similar note when asked about the criticism of Goff.

"That's bullsh*t," Sewell said, via Will Burchfield of 97.1 The Ticket. "I just don't understand how in a team sport that people can put blame on one person, at all. It's not like he's the one that's out there by himself. I'll never understand, but again, that's not my world and what I pay attention to. But, bullsh*t."

Ragnow and Sewell defending Goff from easy critics after the Lions' season-ending loss isn't surprising. But the broader sentiment was backed up by pointed public words from them, which you don't always see in that situation.