The normally turnover-averse Jared Goff had an off night in the Detroit Lions’ 26-23 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday, as the star quarterback threw five interceptions to Texans defenders in just three quarters.
Remarkably, the former first overall pick entered the game with four picks in his first eight games of the 2024 NFL season for the 7-1 Lions. As the Lions quarterback’s misfortunes continued, fans of the College Football 25 video game were quick to point out on social media how the Texans’ performance is reminiscent of the Heisman-level defense on the popular video game.
“Jared Goff is singlehandedly proving that EA College Football 25 is an accurate depiction of football,” one quipped. Another added, “Jared Goff looking like my Day 1 College Football 25 Heisman difficulty experience right now.”
The CFB 25 CPU is notable for its uncanny ability to intercept a pass thrown against it with ease. For Goff, treating Sunday night football like the CFB 25 could spell the end of his periphery MVP case, though.
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“Jared Goff single-handedly ended his MVP race tonight after throwing 5 ints,” tweeted former Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin III.
ESPN Bet noted the drop in his odds: “In the last hour and 15 minutes, Jared Goff has gone from 7-1 to 40-1 to win MVP.” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson remains the overwhelming favorite after a dominant display against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday.
The slander for the Lions quarterback poured in all night. One fan tweeted a picture of former Lions quarterback and ESPN pundit Dan Orlovsky and said, “Jared Goff when he doesnt have 15 seconds in the pocket and his RBs dont average 8.5 YPC.”
Goff, who eventually ended up with 240 passing yards and two touchdowns, wasn’t the only quarterback who struggled on Sunday night. Texans signal-caller C.J. Stroud also entered the game with four interceptions on the season but tossed a pair of picks and just one touchdown while ending up with 232 passing yards during the Sunday Night Football clash.
Stroud’s numbers are slightly down from his 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign. Last year, the second pick in the 2023 draft threw for 4,108 yards with a sparkling 23-5 touchdown-interception ratio in 15 games.
Before tonight’s contest, the Texans quarterback has thrown for 2,139 yards with an 11-4 TD-INT ratio – which will spike after tonight- through nine games. His quarterback rating dropped from 100.8 to 91.9 and has already taken 30 sacks after taking 38 a year ago.
Stroud connected with John Metchie III for the receiver’s first career touchdown in the second quarter. The 2022 second-round pick missed much of the early part of his NFL career as he battled Leukemia.
Metchie III was in line for more playing time following the injuries to star receivers Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins, who was a late scratch for Sunday’s contest.