Jared Goff’s first interception in 315 days happened midway through the fourth quarter of a Week 2 home game against the Seahawks. Until that moment on Sunday, his pick-less-in-Detroit streak dated back to Nov. 6, 2022, through two months of last season and one game of this one, despite nearly 400 pass attempts. He had a shot at history, even.
Context mattered at that moment. Always does, especially in the NFL. The Lions were using their third running back on this particular play and had been shuffling tackles around to deal with injuries that cropped up against Seattle. On the broadcast, a graphic flashed across television screens. At that point, Goff had been sacked once (the same drive) and pressured just four times on 25 dropbacks. But the analysts were also lamenting all the injuries around him, their analysis, they would soon find out, perfectly timed.
Detroit lined up with Goff in shotgun and two receivers bunched to his right. Another wideout set up on the left, while that third-string back, Craig Reynolds, stood next to Goff on that side. Seattle showed a heavy blitz look, with three extra defenders near the line. But when the ball was snapped, only one actually blitzed. The Seahawks created pressure anyway, which is what Goff sensed, the left defensive end coming off the edge, barreling toward him. He turned slightly the other way, to his left and threw. His attempt wobbled toward Reynolds, who was covered but open, depending on the throw. Had the ball arrived in front of him, the play might have picked up 10 to 15 yards. Instead, the attempt tottered behind Reynolds.
