Jared Goff turnovers: How Lions QB’s giveaways doomed Detroit's playoff hopes vs. Vikings

David Suggs

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Jared Goff turnovers: How Lions QB’s giveaways doomed Detroit's playoff hopes vs. Vikings image

While the Lions had looked far more vulnerable in their opening 15 games than they did at any point last season, their star signal-caller, Jared Goff, enjoyed a sterling start to the campaign. The former No. 1 overall pick entered Detroit's Christmas Day game with the Vikings with more 4,000 yards and 32 touchdowns to just five interceptions, proving himself to be one of the sport's finest gunslingers.

Given his performances as of late, another starring showcase appeared on the horizon. Minnesota had little more to play for than pride, while the Lions needed a win to keep their postseason hopes alive. Goff, one of football's most efficient operators, looked well-equipped to gash a Vikings defense that has struggled at times this season.

That didn't happen, though. Instead, Goff surrendered five turnovers on Christmas Day, condemning the Lions to a 23-10 loss to Minnesota that eliminated them from postseason contention.

Here's a look at Goff's struggles on Thursday night.

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Jared Goff turnovers

All told, Goff coughed the ball up on five occasions. He surrendered three fumbles and tossed two interceptions as the Lions' postseason hopes evaporated at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Detroit was in need of a steady showing from its signal-caller to keep its dwindling playoff aspirations alive. Goff was unable to provide such a display, recording his first error with four minutes left in the first quarter. Facing third-and-one inside Detroit's 20 yard line, Goff mishandled a snap. Andrew Van Ginkel was first on the scene, corralling the football inside the red zone. Minnesota would find the end zone five plays later.

It was a preview of what was to come for Goff. In the third quarter, Goff missed his target on throws on back-to-back drives. Both times, the ball landed in the Vikings' defenders' grasps — the first was swept up by Byron Murphy Jr., while the second fell into Harrison Smith's arms.

Goff tacked on another fumble in the fourth, losing grasp of the ball after Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner combined to cloak him in a sea of white and purple.

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Goff finished his infamous day aptly, losing track of another errant snap as the clock dwindled. He initially appeared to fall over the ball and prevent another giveaway. However, Van Ginkel trailed him from behind, ripping the ball from his limp grasp as he fell to the canvas. 

Simply put, Goff authored up perhaps the worst performance of his career on Thursday night. It proved fatal for Detroit, whose playoff hopes vanished under a barrage of Goff giveaways.

MORE: Lions eliminated from postseason contention after loss to Vikings

Jared Goff season stats

Here's a look at Goff's numbers entering into Thursday's matchup.

Games Played15
Record8-7
Rate109.4
Comp/Att348-507
Comp. Pct.68.6
Pass Yds4,036
Pass TDs32
INT5
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