Falcons Arthur Smith Breaks Down 'Underrated' Lions QB Jared Goff

The Atlanta Falcons will face another stiff test on Sunday when they go on the road to face the Detroit Lions and Jared Goff.

In the lead-up to Sunday's game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions, the run game will be the big talking point, and rightfully so, as that is the focus of both offenses. However, that doesn't mean the Falcons are overlooking the challenge of playing Lions quarterback Jared Goff. 

“He’s a good player," Smith said of the seventh-year signal-caller. "A guy that I think is very underrated. He was the No. 1 pick. Clearly, he has an elite skillset. The guy has won a lot of games in this league as a starter. ... I’m not sure why he doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Like I said, it will be a challenge."

Until last Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Goff had nearly 400 pass attempts without throwing an interception, which ended up being the third most consecutive throws without a pick in NFL history. However, even with that streak gone, it is still a data point that suggests he does a good job of eliminating turnovers. 

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Jared Goff plays against the Detroit Lions

Through two games this season, Goff has thrown 576 yards and four touchdowns with just one interception while completing 71.4 percent of his passes. Combine the former No. 1 overall pick's efficiency with a rushing attack considered one of the best in the league; it is easy to see why the Falcons will have another challenge. 

After the Lions beat the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, in the season-opening Thursday night game, they fell short at home against the Seahawks in overtime. 

The Falcons, on the other hand, were able to overcome a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Green Bay Packers and start the season off with a 2-0 record for the first time since 2017.

Kickoff on Sunday between the Falcons and Lions is set for 1 p.m. at Ford Field.