Goff set the NFL record with a perfect 18-for-18 game

DETROIT — A part of Dan Campbell felt regret Monday night — when he didn't save a piece of NFL history.

His quarterback, Jared Goff, threw a perfect game, setting an NFL record by completing all 18 of his passes to help the Detroit Lions beat the Seattle Seahawks 42-29 for the first time since 2012.

By the time Campbell realized the significance of Goff's all-time masterful performance, it was too late — he had already awarded wide receiver Jameson Williams and safety Kirby Joseph with game balls in the locker room.

“I gave the game ball to somebody else, so I feel terrible,” Campbell said. “I knew he played a great game. I didn't realize he was perfect. I didn't know he was literally 18-for-18, but I knew he played really well. You could feel it. He really found his rhythm. Hurry up.”

Kurt Werner set the previous NFL record for passes without an completion in 2005 when he went 10-for-10 for Arizona against Houston.

Goff couldn't remember another time in his football career when he finished a game with a perfect pass.

“Never. I don't think I've ever done it. I knew I did it in the first half of last week, so I was aware of it then,” said Goff, who threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns. “And I was aware of it in the middle of the third quarter today. I was like, 'I couldn't think of one,' but then I threw one out of bounds that resulted in offensive pass interference and I was like, 'Does that count?' I don't know if it counts but yeah, it's a good day.”

It was a special day for Goff. During the third quarter, he caught his first career receiving touchdown on a short pass from Amon-Ra St. Brown, which Goff said had never happened since he started playing football at age 7.

According to ESPN Research, the play helped the Lions become the first team with a 100% completion percentage in a game when multiple players threw a pass since at least 1933.

Goff and St. Brown said the play was nicknamed “Alcatraz” by offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and the pair were happy to execute it on a prime-time stage after practicing it on several occasions but not finding the game situation to pull it off. off

“It wasn't a very difficult route. It was like a short wheel route, late leak. For that route, I'd give him a 7 out of 10,” said St. Brown, who caught six passes for 45 yards. And a touch down. “It wasn't too hard to deal with.”

Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow is out with a partially torn pectoral muscle, but Detroit's offensive line is solid with veteran lineman Graham Glasgow moving to center and Kayode Awsika starting at left guard.

Goff benefited from time and space inside the pocket, where he went 14-for-14 for 270 yards and both of his touchdown passes.

His receivers also found space, and according to NFL Next Gen stats, he was able to complete eight wide-open passes with 5 or more yards of separation.

One of those resulted in a 70-yard touchdown run by Williams with 2:52 left in the third quarter to put Detroit up 35-20.

“I gave the ball to somebody else, so I felt terrible. I knew he had a great game. I didn't realize he was perfect. I didn't know he was literally 18-for-18.”

Lions coach Dan Campbell

Lions running back Jahmir Gibbs rushed for 78 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He didn't realize Goff's perfect day until later.

“It's just crazy, I didn't realize it until the end of the game. I was like, 'I haven't seen the ball hit the ground yet,'” Gibbs said. “That's when I found out. It's great. I'm happy for him.”

After the win, Goff found humor in Campbell giving game balls to other players on the roster. He walked out of Ford Field with his head held high as the Lions improved to 3-1 entering their bye week.

“Okay. We'll see, maybe he'll make it, but that's okay,” Goff said. “I'm glad we got the win.”