Jared Goff's biggest weakness exposed in critical moment of Lions' brutal loss

There's no denying what Jared Goff can do when he operates from a clean pocket. Decisive, quick and prolific are words that sum it up well. Every quarterback is less proficient when pressured, but last season Goff's drop-off when pressured vs. kept clean was more dramatic than anyone that anyone who's considered an established starter when measured by DVOA.

Goff does well against the blitz...well, unsuccessful blitzes if we're being honest. But defensive coordinators take the risk, knowing the reward if you can get pressure in his face. Goff faced blitz looks more than any other quarterback last year.

Going into Sunday's game, Goff's history against Todd Bowles' Buccaneers defenses was notably good. Tampa Bay has been one of the blitz-heavier defenses in the league in recent years. From a yardage perspective, that continued on Sunday as Goff threw for 307 yards. But he did it going 34-for-55 (5.6 yards per attempt). Take out a beautiful 50-yard deep ball to Jameson Williams early, and Goff's numbers look pretty ugly.

Deeper metrics (pressures, etc.) will come out, but surface stats show Goff was not sacked on Sunday. But he was hit eight times, which isn't ideal. Better offensive balance might have been helpful.

Jared Goff's biggest weakness exposed in brutal loss to Buccaneers

Goff threw two interceptions, but there were others that were close calls. He's allowed to have an off-day without anyone calling for his benching in favor of Hendon Hooker, but he was not sharp all day on Sunday. His second interception, halfway through the fourth quarter when the Lions trailed by four, was particularly brutal and deflating.

With pressure in his face, Goff threw a pass over the middle into a cluster of Buccaneers' defenders. No Lions' receiver was anywhere in the area. It's hard to know if someone was supposed to be there, or if Goff simply couldn't get it to Tim Patrick, who was running toward the end zone as the throw fell short. It truly looks like Goff just threw it and hoped.

Goff has to be, and will be, better moving forward. But the reason he faces blitz looks so often was on display Sunday, in a critical moment when the Lions needed better than a desperation heave down the middle of the field to no one in particular.