Lions' Jared Goff Hyped by HC Campbell: 'Find Me a Quarterback That's Playing Better'

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell says Jared Goff has changed since losing to the San Francisco 49ers in last year's NFC Championship.

Goff threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns on Monday night to lead the Lions to a 40-34 win in a Week 17 rematch against the Niners.

"This is a different Jared Goff now. He's different. This guy has developed and matured, and he's just stepping into his prime," Campbell said, per NFL.com's Kevin Patra. "He just continues to get better and better. He's playing at an ultimate level right now.

"You find me a quarterback that's playing better than him in this league right now. I'd love to see it."

Campbell said after the game that he had considered sitting starters for Monday's game, which had no impact on playoff seeding. He ultimately fielded Goff alongside the Lions' top players in what will serve as preparation for a Week 18 battle against the Minnesota Vikings for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

While facing an early deficit to the 49ers, Goff involved Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams in a 42-yard hook-and-ladder play to climb within one point of the 49ers.

He tied the game with a six-yard passing touchdown and a two-point conversion to start out the third, then put the Lions ahead with a short throw to St. Brown in the final seconds of the quarter.

Campbell wasn't the only one impressed by the performance. Goff received chants of his name from the Lions fans who made the trip to San Francisco as he headed off the field following the win.

Goff hit a low earlier this season when he threw a career-high five interceptions during a Week 9 win over the Houston Texans.

When asked after that game if he had any concern about Goff going forward, Campbell answered, "None."

"Everybody's going to think we're crazy, you're going to think I'm crazy," Campbell said in a November appearance on 97.1 The Ticket (h/t Audacy's Will Burchfield.) "I'm telling you, he didn't play a bad game. He played a pretty good game... He's going where we're telling him to go with the ball and he's putting it where we're telling him to put it."

Campbell concluded: "He's doing exactly what we're asking him to do, so I'm not worried at all."

Campbell's faith in his QB1 turned out to be well-placed. In the seven games since his turnover struggles against the Texans, Goff has completed 71.7 percent of his passes for 20 touchdowns and a single interception.

Over that six-win span he has ranked first among NFL quarterbacks in passing yards, passing touchdowns and passer rating (h/t The 33rd Team.)

Given injuries to multiple key defenders including Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill, the Lions will need to lean on their offense in Week 18. Campbell will look for another strong passing performance from Goff when Detroit plays for a shot at a first-round bye next Sunday.