Home-field advantage is the most important thing in both regular season football, especially the postseason. While it may be week eight, the stats don’t lie, the Lions need to do everything they can to lock down the home-field advantage they earn with the top seed in the NFC.
When looking at the numbers, it can’t be denied that the straw that stirs the Lions offensive cocktail performs much better at home.
Quarterback Jared Goff has seen a career rejuvenation since being traded to Detroit as an asset in the Matthew Stafford deal. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has done a good enough job during his time with Goff that he is now set to be the hottest head coaching candidate this offseason. As for Goff, the stats overall pass the eye test but when you look deeper you see that there is a distinct difference between his performances at home and on the road.
Jared Goff has played in exactly 12 home games and 12 away games over the last two seasons
Home
+ 32 total touchdowns
+ 22.1 fantasy points per game (~QB5)Away
+ 10 total touchdowns
+ 12.9 fantasy points per game (~QB32)— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) October 23, 2023
As mentioned above, Goff has now played in 24 games for the Lions and the results of those games are glaring. He has a three-to-one touchdown difference between the two venues and while there will be some outliers, the overall body of work can’t be denied.
The Lions playing meaningful games, playoff games, on the road could be a disaster.
Right now they are sitting pretty despite losing to the Ravens in a blowout last week. They have shown they can handle the stiffer competition the NFL brings out but they can’t use the crutch the defense has provided. Goff needs to win them games on the road, not manage them.
It is one thing to not turn the ball over but he needs to take chances that create plays. Johnson and his play schemes won’t leave him out to dry but it is as much on him to set Goff up for success as it is for the quarterback to create magic.
His next chance on the road will come after a bye against the Chargers.
