The Detroit Lions' potential Achilles heel for the playoffs is the pressure on Jared Goff and his struggle to perform under pressure, which could significantly impact the team's success.

Why It Matters

The success of the Lions in the playoffs may be heavily dependent on how well Goff is protected and his ability to avoid mistakes when pressured.

By the Numbers
  • QBR drop from 66.8 to 24.7 for the average quarterback under pressure
  • Goff's QBR under pressure is 8.8, ranking 26th in the league
  • Goff's 68.5-point QBR difference with and without pressure is the largest for any quarterback
  • Goff has the second-worst completion percentage over expected (CPOE) under pressure
  • Lions and Rams tied with 41 sacks each in the regular season
State of Play
  • Rams finished the regular season with 41 sacks, tied with the Lions for 24th in the league
  • Rams had the eighth-lowest pressure rate in the league at 18.6 percent
  • Rams' interior defensive line, led by Aaron Donald and rookie Kobie Turner, could pose a potential issue for the Lions
What's Next

The performance of Jared Goff under pressure will be a key factor to watch as the playoffs approach, especially in the Wild Card Round against the Rams.

Bottom Line

The pressure on Jared Goff and his struggles with pressure could ultimately determine the Lions' fate in the upcoming playoffs, making it a critical area for the team to address and overcome.