Does Ben Johnson need Jared Goff more than Jared Goff needs Ben Johnson?
For one week, at least, it definitely seems like it after Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff put on a masterful performance to lead the Lions to a 52-21 victory against the Chicago Bears and his old offensive coordinator.
Goff and the Lions hit the ground running, literally and figuratively, quickly scoring on their first drive against the Johnson-led Bears. It wasn't until both running backs, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, got touchdown rushes before Goff began picking up TDs of his own.
Jared Goff was lights out in an electric Ford Field, going 23-28 for 334 passing yards and five TD passes to zero interceptions. Goff’s 156.0 passer rating falls just short of his third career perfect passer rating game, which would’ve made him the sixth QB ever to achieve three such games in a career.
According to the Detroit Lions PR on X, Goff tied the NFL record with his second career game with at least 300 passing yards, a completion percentage of 80%, and a passer rating of 155.0. Goff also extends his franchise record for consecutive games of throwing a TD pass against a divisional opponent with 14, including nine in a row against the Bears.
The only QBs in @NFL history to complete at least 75.0% of their passes in four-straight games (25 attempts per game minimum):
1. @Lions QB @JaredGoff16 (4, 2024-25 seasons)
2. @TomBrady (4, 2007 season)#OnePride pic.twitter.com/VgCUnhCPCv
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) September 14, 2025
Lions fans can now breathe a sigh of relief, as the Lions reach familiar territory with their fourth consecutive 1-1 start to the season. The offense was reminiscent of last season’s historic offense, with much-needed stellar performances out of the offensive line as well as wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. St. Brown hauled in three of Goff’s TD passes while Williams and tight end Brock Wright were on the receiving end of the other two.
This 31-point beatdown of the Bears is the complete opposite of how the offense looked during Week 1’s 27-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers, where Goff and offensive coordinator John Morton saw their fair share of criticism for an offense that lacked explosive plays.
Tonight, Lions fans can sleep soundly knowing that Goff and the offense will be just fine without Johnson.
Goff passes a legendary Lions QB in the history books
Goff came up big in a critical game against his former OC, but he also made some Lions history. With his third TD pass on the day, he surpassed Hall of Famer Bobby Layne’s 118 for the second most in franchise history. Goff, now with 121 TD passes as a Lion, accomplished this feat in 30 fewer games.
Goff has a ways to go to reach number one in TD passes, as he’s still 161 behind current franchise leader, Matthew Stafford, who is now with the Los Angeles Rams. However, Goff boasts a higher TD percentage (5.3%) than Stafford (4.5%), although it's slightly less than Layne (5.4%).
READ MORE: Lions fans pile on Ben Johnson after his Bears collapse in ugly loss
Goff has already passed Layne for second in passing yards last season, as the current Lions’ QB is now top two in nearly every franchise passing statistic. While regular-season wins aren’t among those statistics, Goff did secure his 40th regular-season win as a Lion, which ties him with Greg Landry for third in franchise history.
Big winning performances like today encapsulate why the Lions acquired Goff from the Rams in 2021 and why they trust him to lead this franchise by giving him a contract extension in 2024. Goff finished in the top five in MVP voting last season, and on Sunday, he looked every bit the part.