Film Review: Understanding Jared Goff’s Struggles in Loss to Packers

Reviewing what went wrong for Goff against Green Bay.

The Detroit Lions were uncharacteristically in a rut offensively against the Green Bay Packers. 

The unit, which has been among the league's best throughout the season, has been hindered by turnovers throughout the past two games. With the exception of a stunning rally in Week 11 against Chicago, the last eight quarters of football have been difficult for Jared Goff and company. 

Goff has committed six turnovers in the last two games, including three against the Packers on Thursday. Here's a look at what bothered the Lions offensively Thursday, including a look at both Goff's turnovers and the protection breakdowns that led to bad moments for the offense.

First sack

With the Lions' defense allowing touchdowns on each of Green Bay's first two drives, the offense is gearing up for a shootout at this point. This comes to a screeching halt, however, when Goff's fumble turns into six points for the Packers.

Colby Sorsdal is the first player to get beaten off the rush, which closes the pocket on Goff. Jameson Williams has space in the flat, but Goff appears to be dialed in on the left side of the field. 

Kalif Raymond also has separation over the middle of the field, but he's running a clear out-route in an effort to divert the coverage.

Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is also available as the check down, but Goff doesn't have enough time to get to his last read. 

Goff second-guesses delivering the ball to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is covered at the numbers just shy of the 30-yard line. The pocket collapses, and after a quick look to the right, Goff tries to just throw it away to the left. 

Unfortunately for him, he's unable to maintain control of the ball through his throwing motion, and Jonathan Owens scoops and scores the fumble. 

Miscommunication with Gibbs

The Lions send Raymond in motion, prior to the snap, in an effort to diagnose the coverage. Rather than send a defender with him, Green Bay simply re-aligns. This signals that the Packers are in zone coverage. 

Raymond relocates to the flat on the snap. St. Brown runs up the seam and takes the safety, while the corner goes with the dig route. This leaves Gibbs isolated with the play-side linebacker, as he takes the play-action fake and runs toward the sideline. 

Gibbs sees this matchup and determines to take his route upfield, but Goff throws toward the sideline as the back begins his break. Part of this has to do with the pocket once again breaking down, as Sorsdal is beaten on his outside shoulder. 

Additionally, Taylor Decker doesn't help Sorsdal off the snap, because his assignment is the stand-up EDGE defender. However, the defender doesn't apply any pressure, which leaves Decker out of position to help his rookie teammate. 

With the left guard now beat, Goff steps up and hurries his throw. If Gibbs is able to break upfield, a better throw from Goff likely results in a big gain. However, he mistimes his throw, and Gibbs has no chance at coming back for the ball. 

Miss high to LaPorta

Here, the Lions have a chance to extend their drive with a third down just outside Green Bay territory. Trailing, 20-6, this is a big play early in the second quarter. 

Detroit's offensive line creates a mostly clean pocket off the snap, allowing Goff some time to throw. Green Bay aligns with one high safety against Detroit's trips right look. 

Sam LaPorta is stacked next to Kalif Raymond, while Gibbs is lined up outside the numbers on the right. Both Gibbs and Raymond run curls, while LaPorta breaks a dig route just past Raymond. 

LaPorta does a good job selling his route, as his defender begins to settle and allows him a split-second to create separation. Josh Reynolds runs a corner on the left side of the field, occupying the single safety. 

Amon-Ra St. Brown, meanwhile, takes the opposite cornerback with a quick out. Goff sets and releases just as the pocket breaks down, and the ball comes out high and hot. 

LaPorta is unable to corral it, and it ricochets off his hands. It's nearly picked off, as the ball bounces just in front of the free safety.

Second sack

The Lions try to catch the Packers with a unique blocking scheme on this particular play-action pass. Right guard Graham Glasgow pulls across the formation, which is not typical for a pass play.

As he comes across the formation, he's expecting to help on Rashan Gary, who already has a strip sack. However, Gary executes a twist, and follows the wall created by two other Packers defenders locked on to Lions blockers. 

Gary gets between Sorsdal and Frank Ragnow, giving him a clear shot at Goff. There are no options open downfield, save for St. Brown breaking in on a dagger that would be a very difficult throw with a linebacker in the middle of the field. 

With no moves to make through the air, Goff tries to tuck the ball and get positive yardage. Gary's athleticism negates this, however, and he's able to corral the passer behind the line of scrimmage. 

Intentional grounding

The Lions were able to generate some positive momentum on this series, before facing a first-and-10 at Green Bay's 41-yard line. However, an arguable no-call turns this play from a free play to a disastrous situation for the Lions. 

Ragnow snaps this ball as soon as he sees movement from the Green Bay defensive tackle. The Lions immediately pass set, but the wide receivers are a half-second late off the ball. 

Jameson Williams goes deep, while Amon-Ra St. Brown breaks in from the right side of the field. A lurking linebacker prevents Goff from making this throw.

Rookie Lukas Van Ness long-arms Taylor Decker, and gains leverage in his pursuit of the quarterback. Goff senses the pressure coming and throws the ball to the ground, presumably thinking that it's simply a free play wasted for Detroit. 

However, there is no whistle for the movement up front, and this winds up being intentional grounding as Goff hadn't left the pocket. The penalty backs Detroit into its own territory, and the offense is unable to rebound from the loss of down. 

Third sack

Facing a fourth-and-7 from Green Bay's 31-yard line, this fourth-quarter play is a pivotal one for the Lions. Down 15 at this juncture, a field goal keeps this game at two scores, and isn't as beneficial in the moment as a touchdown. 

As a result, the Lions elect to go for it. Goff completes his drop just as Kalif Raymond breaks open against soft coverage from the Packers. Rather than get rid of the ball, though, Goff hitches and steps up in the pocket with his eyes downfield. 

The cornerback responsible for Raymond breaks off to cover Josh Reynolds' corner route. Raymond breaks toward the sideline and the sticks and is open. Just as Goff steps up, though, Gary flies in after beating Taylor Decker. 

He dives onto Goff, and knocks the ball free. The fumble itself is of little consequence, as it was fourth down. However, the Packers recover regardless.