The Detroit Lions have high hopes for the 2023 season, and this could be the year in which they finally return to the NFL playoffs for the first time since the 2016 campaign.
One reason why hopes are high for them is quarterback Jared Goff, who is coming off a very productive 2022 season.
In addition, former player Darius Butler made a bold claim on “The Pat McAfee Show” when he said Goff is the third-best quarterback in the NFC and the best in the NFC North.
“I think Jared Goff is the best QB in the NFC North right now..
I would put him as maybe the third best QB in the NFC and keeping Ben Johnson was huge for the Lions” ~ @DariusJButler #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/TbFHRVq1vV
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 18, 2023
Last year, Goff put up 4,438 passing yards and 29 touchdown passes while limiting himself to just seven interceptions.
Under his leadership, Detroit rebounded from a 1-6 start to win eight of their last 10 games and come within a nibble of snatching the final postseason spot in the conference.
For his production, Goff was named to the Pro Bowl for the third time in 2022.
He has a rising Pro Bowl wide receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown to throw the ball to, while the team has high hopes for running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who was the No. 12 pick in April’s draft.
Everyone agrees that the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts is the NFC’s best quarterback, and some consider Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys to be the second-best QB in the conference.
Overall, the conference lacks quarterback talent and depth, as opposed to the AFC, which boasts the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, and others.
That lack of talent and depth could be the thing that puts the Lions over the top this season and gives them a shot at winning their first playoff game since the 1991 season.
NEXT:
Analyst Explains What Makes Lions’ Offense Special This Season