Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
There are two main quarterback archetypes in the modern NFL: game-breaking scramblers who force defenses to warp and bend to account for additional threats and pocket passers who excel with pinpoint accuracy but are prone to pressure.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff falls in the latter category, one of the league’s less mobile signal-callers whose longest-standing criticism is the way his game falters when the pass rush starts to get home. That trend has continued in 2023, as 5 of Goff’s 6 turnover worthy plays have come when pressured, per PFF. The Lions have only allowed pressure on 33.1% of Goff’s dropbacks, a product of a strong offensive line, but his TD:INT ratio falls from 10:1 to 2:4 when sped up.
The Chargers have hit their stride as a pass rush in recent weeks as Joey Bosa’s health has improved, giving them a legitimate three-headed monster on the edge with Bosa, Khalil Mack, and Tuli Tuipulotu. All three players had at least two sacks on Monday against the Jets, the first time Los Angeles stuffed the box score in that fashion since 2012. Detroit’s offensive line is stout with Penei Sewell at right tackle and center Frank Ragnow working back from injury, but LA’s ability to move their three impact players around has proven to generate pressure against anybody on their schedule.
