The Detroit Lions dominated the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, October 27, securing a 52-14 win. However, with the Lions holding a comfortable lead throughout the second half, some fans and analysts are questioning why head coach Dan Campbell kept quarterback Jared Goff in the game for as long as he did.
Goff was eventually pulled from the game early in the fourth quarter, but not before suffering an “apparent ankle injury” that left him limping on the field, as reported by Ian Casselberry of Yahoo Sports.
Now, fans and NFL analysts are voicing concerns about Campbell and the Lions’ decision to leave Goff in the game for so long.
‘Goff Should Have Come Out Sooner’
In an October 27 column, Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press tackled the question of whether Goff stayed in the game too long, concluding, “yes.”
“The Lions quarterback, by far the most irreplaceable player on the team, didn’t leave the game until 1:13 remained in the third quarter, shortly before Jake Bates’ 51-yard field goal put them up by 38 points,” Monarrez explained. “I recently asked coach Dan Campbell about his approach to easing off in blowouts; he said it’s based partly on intuition and partly on concern for a potential comeback.
I understand that, but the Lions were clearly in control across the board, and Goff should have exited with 6:17 left in the third quarter after going up by five touchdowns.”
Monarrez continued, “Goff had just been sacked hard on the prior series (his fourth sack of the game), and with the game securely in hand, there was no need for him to continue.
The Lions have too much at stake — especially with a major matchup next week against Green Bay — to risk their most valuable player when substitutions could easily be made if