Detroit — One pass a bit too long. One pass a bit too short. One pass perfect, but dropped.
From one play to the next, from one half to the next, from one game to the next, you never know for sure what you’re getting from the Lions and Jared Goff. But you usually know how it’ll end. This was an offensive explosion followed by an implosion, accompanied by the always-dependable defensive collapse. If you’re looking for something different, or enlightening, you’ve come to the wrong place and you follow the wrong team.
The Lions lost their fifth straight, 31-27, to the Dolphins Sunday at Ford Field, and it’s clear they wear the same label as their quarterback: Just good enough to lose. It’s as if they know it’s coming and are powerless to stop it. Dan Campbell may have instilled spirit in this team, but he hasn’t inspired much confidence. Of course, confidence without high-end talent is just wasted noise, and the Lions are severely lacking in high-end talent, especially on that horrid defense.
This was a nasty reminder of where the Lions went wrong with the previous regime. It’s where they almost always go wrong, refusing to draft a quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa continued his ascent in his third season with the Dolphins (5-3), throwing for 382 yards, mostly to a pair of game-breaking receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. In 2020, the Lions could’ve taken Tagovialoa with the No. 3 pick, but the Quinntricia regime was desperately trying to save itself and didn’t have the patience for a rookie quarterback. They chose cornerback Jeff Okudah, who’s developing nicely after an Achilles injury but couldn’t make a difference in this one.
Neither could Goff, who usually isn’t the Lions’ primary problem, but almost never is the winning solution. Neither is the Lions’ own speedy receiver, Jameson Williams, at least not yet as the rookie recovers from knee surgery. When the pressure grew under the Dolphins’ relentless aerial attack, the Lions couldn’t match it. They’re now 1-6, with four of the losses decided by one score.
Keep coming close
That should be no consolation because that’s how the NFL operates. Most games are ridiculously close, and the Lions have absolutely no clue how to close the close ones.
“(Former coach) Bill Parcells used to say, ‘The only way to win close games is win close games,’” Campbell said, and I get his point. Until you win them, you don’t think you can.
“That’s how you build confidence to do it,” Campbell said. “And until then, you’ve got to do all the little things right. Hey, it’s frustrating, and I know everybody’s tired of hearing it’s close. But I do know we’re close, and you just don’t know when it’s going to turn.”
Usually the first place it turns is at quarterback, and after a year-and-a-half with Goff, I think the Lions know which way this is turning. They need a quarterback — a mobile one with better deep-throw accuracy. After two straight games without a touchdown, the Lions had two key weapons back Sunday, although D’Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown didn’t look fully healthy. Goff was 27-for-37 for 321 yards but struggles in pressure time and misses on big plays.
Down 31-27, the Lions were marching, edging into winning position. Facing fourth-and-1 from the Dolphins’ 35 with 2:59 remaining, there were no obvious options. Goff isn’t mobile enough to be a running threat. Jamaal Williams has been stuffed on short yardage before. So Goff spied the coverage and threw to the only place he felt he could, deep down the right side toward Josh Reynolds. The throw was inaccurate, to the wrong shoulder, and Reynolds couldn’t adjust, and the game essentially was over.
“Wish I would have thrown a better ball,” Goff said. “Thought I left it outside. Maybe had a chance there.”
Recurring theme
NFL games don’t necessarily come down to one play, but they usually come down to one possession. And on game-altering possessions, the Lions keep barfing all over their cleats. (Sorry for the indelicate comment but I got nothing new). They led Miami 27-17 at the half, piling up an impressive 326 yards. Their defense was never going to slow the Dolphins’ super-quick receivers but the Lions have shown they sometimes can keep up. A month ago at Ford Field, they fell to Seattle, 48-45.
This time they added only 67 total yards in the second half and didn’t score. Their first possession of the third quarter was an absolute disaster, and it started with the touted offensive line. False start, Penei Sewell. Offensive holding, Sewell. False start, Taylor Decker. A third-and-27 pass came up 25 yards short and the Dolphins dominated the rest of the way.
“Penalties, penalties,” Campbell said. “We had a chance to win that game, and once we get that chance, let’s see if we can handle the pressure better and not shoot ourselves in the foot.”
The Dolphins seized control by converting eight of 12 third downs, while the Lions were 4-for-9. That’s on coaching and play-calling, sure. But mainly it’s on the quarterback. In Goff’s defense, he’s been in a tough spot since he arrived and doesn’t complain, even as the cast of receivers endlessly churns.
After Campbell pulled off a perfect gamble, faking a punt on fourth-and-2 from his own 33 late in the first half, the Lions were poised to open up a two-touchdown lead. With six seconds left from Miami’s 8, Goff fired a strike to Reynolds in the end zone, and it slipped through his hands. The Lions settled for a field goal and a 27-17 lead, and didn’t sniff the end zone again.
The theme never changes. It’s gotten so numbingly monotonous, owner Sheila Hamp felt compelled to speak last week and offer a tepid vote of confidence, saying “I believe in the leadership.”
It’s always helpful to hear from ownership, even if it achieves little tangibly. Expressing frustration is natural but not overly soothing. Asking for patience also is natural, and I really think Lions fans are trying to give it. It just can’t be an endless relationship without a reward.
Being close doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting closer. Until the Lions find their quarterback, or Goff somehow finds his way, this is who they are and where they’ll be, just close enough to lose.
bob.wojnowski@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @bobwojnowski