Pressure has been mounting for the Detroit Lions over the last few seasons. In 2023, they showed they belong among the NFC’s best by nearly defeating the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. That set up big expectations for 2024, and the Lions responded with a strong regular season, finishing 15-2.
Unfortunately, they fell far short in the postseason, losing their first playoff game. Now, expectations remain high for 2025, which could increase the pressure on quarterback Jared Goff. CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr ranked Goff fourth among quarterbacks facing the most pressure to win a Super Bowl, trailing only Dak Prescott, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen.
Goff has already played in one Super Bowl, leading the Los Angeles Rams there in 2018. That appearance didn’t go well, as he completed just 19 of 38 passes with an interception in a 13-3 loss to the New England Patriots. The three points tied for the lowest ever in a Super Bowl, and Goff took much of the blame.
However, since joining the Lions, he has proven to be a significantly better quarterback than he was in that game. The only reason he faces such high pressure now is because he has turned Detroit into a legitimate contender. When the Lions return to the playoffs, he must improve on his three-interception outing against the Commanders.
Despite that disappointing performance, he has given fans plenty of reason to believe it was an outlier, posting three straight 4,000-yard seasons and finishing fifth in MVP voting last season.
Before getting another Super Bowl shot, Goff must navigate a tough NFC North and a challenging playoff path. But as the Lions enter 2025, their focus will be on one thing—winning the Lombardi Trophy.