Goff Downplays Lions' Playoff Inexperience, 'Badly' Wants Win

Will Goff deliver first Lions playoff win since 1991?

The eyes of the football world will be glued to Sunday night's matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. 

With so many storylines attached to the game, there is intrigue aplenty surrounding Ford Field when the game kicks off at 8 p.m. Top among said storylines is the matchup between Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff, who are taking on their former teams. 

Goff has downplayed any emotional element that will come with Sunday's game. Now three years removed from the trade that sent him to Detroit, Goff has his eyes set on helping the Lions secure their first playoff win since the 1991 season.  

Rather than focus on the internal motivations that will naturally come with facing his former team, Goff has focused his efforts on securing a playoff win for a franchise and fanbase that have gone such a long time without one. 

"No. Obviously there's a personal connection there, and not just for me, but for a lot of our players and some of theirs as well," Goff said. "But, no, I so badly want to win a game for this city, win a playoff game for this city that hasn't had one in so long. We've got a home playoff game for the first time in so long, and that's so much more important than anything personally for me. I want to be a part of this win and do my job to the best of my ability." 

Goff was swapped for Stafford in 2021, in what was viewed as a tumultuous exit process. Reports surfaced that Sean McVay had lost confidence in Goff after the 2020 season. However, Goff stated that he holds no ill-will toward his former coach. 

“Sean’s a great coach," Goff stated. "Obviously, we had our differences there at the end, but he's a great coach, done a lot of great things. He's a guy that taught me a lot." 

When Goff arrived in Detroit, the team awaiting him was in the process of being rebuilt. Now, three years later, he remains at the helm, as the Lions host their first playoff game in 30 years. 

The experience of it all has proven to be vindicating for the veteran. 

"It feels good. It's exciting. It's been a goal of mine since I got here. It's a good opportunity to be a part of, something from the ground-up," Goff stated. "To be able to be where we're standing right now and have a chance to win the Super Bowl is pretty exciting. We've got a long way to go, and the Rams are the first team in our way and we've got to go handle business. But, yeah, it's been a long road to this point, and it's a long road ahead, as well." 

Lions #16 Jared Goff
Inside Allen Park Wednesday pic.twitter.com/Lo0j7QYtfr

— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) January 10, 2024

Playoff experience not a concern

Having been to a Super Bowl previously in his career, Goff has the luxury of playoff experience that many key contributors for the Lions do not have. Among others, Sunday will mark the playoff debut for standout receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

However, having played in both big games and in primetime contests already this season, the Lions are confident in the degree of experience they've accumulated outside of the postseason. 

"I don't think we will. We've played in a lot of big games, a lot of them," Goff explained. "A lot of these guys have played in big games in college. We'll be ready, we'll be ready. I don't worry about that for a second. We've got a lot of primetime experience under our belt at this point." 

Goff made his playoff debut in his second season, which marked his first full year at the helm of the Rams. He remembers an uptick in intensity early in the game. However, that naturally went away as he adjusted to the flow of the matchup. 

"I think the first time you play, the first one, I remember the speed is a little bit ticked back up," Goff explained. "I think the first game of the season, the speed is really high and then as the season goes on, there's injuries and there's lulls in seasons and it can get a bit slower, just a hair. I think I remember in that first playoff game for me, I'm like, 'Oh, boy, it's back to the speed of the first game.' Now does that affect you winning or losing? I don't know, you adjust quickly. But, knowing that can help." 

Since arriving in Detroit, the veteran has undergone a career revival. After struggling in 2021, his performance each of the last two seasons has been integral to the team's success. 

He reflected on his growth Wednesday, outlining how he has improved as both a player and a person since joining the organization. 

"Got a ton better. It's just reps, man. It's just reps, reps, reps. Having guys here that believe in me and trust me and kind of let me do my thing," Goff said. "Growing as a person, as a player, as a leader. Learning what works for me, what doesn't work for me, how to handle certain situations. And then, on the football field, just reps, just seeing things over and over and over again. Knowing where to go with the ball."