Jared Goff essentially has two years to prove to the Detroit Lions he’s worth keeping around as the starting quarterback. Detroit can be patient with Goff as the Lions are in Year 1 of a rebuild under Dan Campbell, one which they can compete with a two-time Pro Bowl and established quarterback like Goff.
Goff’s debut with Detroit in Friday night’s 16-15 loss to the Buffalo Bills didn’t get off to the start he wanted, a familiar sight for his detractors. Goff threw an incomplete pass intended for Tyrell Williams that Buffalo Bills linebacker Tyler Matakevich dropped, eliminating a takeaway on his first throw in a Lions uniform. On his next pass attempt, Goff never saw Bills edge rusher Gregory Rousseau coming as the rookie badly beat fellow first-round pick Penei Sewell (converted from left to right tackle) — resulting in a sack and a Lions three-and-out.
Things did get better for Goff on the next series, as he completed 7 of 8 passes for 56 yards on the drive — the highlight a 20-yard pass to Williams. Goff also had a 13-yard completion to Amon-Ra St. Brown nullified by an offensive holding penalty.
The 18-play, 70-yard drive led to a Randy Bullock 28-yard field goal before Goff exited. Goff finished 7 of 9 for 56 yards (92.6 passer rating) in his two series. Certainly not a bad preseason debut, but the good and bad Goff showed up in little playing time.
