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    • Jared Goff doesn’t miss as Lions survive shootout against Seahawks, 42-29
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    Jared Goff doesn’t miss as Lions survive shootout against Seahawks, 42-29

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    The Detroit Lions have their mojo back. At least on the attack.

    Held to 20 points or less each of the first three weeks, the Lions exploded for six touchdowns to beat the Seattle Seahawks 42-29 on Monday in a battle of two of the NFC’s best teams at Ford Field.

    The Lions (3-1) have looked sluggish offensively in their first three games, controlling the ball well but lacking overall consistency. They returned to their run-first identity in last week’s win over the Arizona Cardinals, and pressed all the right buttons on Monday – rushing and passing.

    HOW FAST DOES THIS GUY RUN? David Montgomery Early season MVP for Detroit Lions after thrilling catch

    David Montgomery again set the tone with 39 yards rushing on seven carries on the opening drive, and Jared Goff had perhaps his best game as a Lion, completing all 18 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns.

    Before Monday, only six players in NFL history have completed a game with a 100% completion rate on at least eight attempts, and Goff is the first QB to finish perfect on more than 10 attempts and the first to do so on more than 200 yards.

    The Lions scored more points Monday than they did last year in all but two games and averaged 8.1 yards per game before Goff’s final two kneels.

    Here are three more observations from Monday’s game:

    Mr. Perfect

    Goff was brilliant.

    In addition to his perfect completion percentage, Goff did an excellent job dodging and avoiding pressure. He quickly found his check-downs. He spread the ball around (and completed passes to seven different receivers). And he wrote a handful of major plays.

    Jameson Williams scored from 70 yards out as the Lions caught Seattle in a six-man blitz. Montgomery broke three tackles on a 40-yard catch and run. And Goff caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Amon-Ra St. Brown on an end-around pass.

    Tricks aside, Goff played Monday like the quarterback who led the Lions to the NFC championship game last season and earned a huge extension this spring. If he plays at around the same level in the future, the Lions will be tough to beat.

    Davis does it

    Carlton Davis III was flagged three times Monday for pass interference. That’s not good, but I thought his play was good overall.

    Davis spent most of the game in single coverage against DK Metcalf (seven catches, 104 yards). He had seven tackles, one for loss, three pass breakups and a fumble that set up a Lions touchdown.

    Davis had coverage for Jake Bobo on the Seahawks’ failed two-point attempt in the third quarter, and he covered Metcalf late in the game with a jump ball in the end zone. Neither he nor the secondary were perfect; Terrion Arnold had two defensive holding penalties, a pass interference call and was out of position during Kenneth Walker III’s long run.

    But in a game the Lions played without three defensive starters and didn’t tackle very well in the second half, Davis was a bright spot overall.

    Who’s next?

    READ MORE HERE: The Detroit Lions introduce Calvin Johnson to the Ring of Honor during halftime of Monday Night Football

    The Lions honored Hall-of-Fame receiver Calvin Johnson during a halftime ceremony on Monday, making him the 21st member of the Pride of the Lions. Johnson had a brilliant nine-year career and I was lucky enough to document most of it. I was there when he set the NFL single-season record for receiving yards, when he had 211 yards in his playoff debut against the New Orleans Saints, and for most of the big catches he made off multiple defenders.

    Johnson’s inclusion in the Pride of the Lions, nine years after his retirement, is long overdue, and my colleague Carlos Monarrez asked a question on press row Monday that got me thinking: who will be the next Lion to to receive that honor?

    Ndamukong Suh is the first name that comes to mind. Suh is a borderline Hall-of-Famer who had his best years – three first-team All-Pros – in Detroit. He only played five years as a Lion, so that might not be enough. Carlos suggested Robert Porcher, and Porcher and his 95.5 sacks are more likely given the role he played on the team in the 1990s.

    Kevin Glover, the longtime Lions center who helped open holes for Barry Sanders, is another name worth discussing, but as good as he was, I’m not sure his credentials as a three-time Pro Bowler justify induction.

    Johnson’s ceremony aside, Lions owner Sheila Hamp was roundly cheered when she introduced Calvin to the sold-out Ford Field crowd on Sunday, a much different reception than she received at Johnson’s 2021 Hall-of-Fame ring ceremony.

    Hamp deserved the cheers and probably should never have been booed for her family’s (football-related) sins. But wow, what a difference winning makes.

    Dave Birkett will be signing copies of his new book, “Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline” Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Pro Sports Zone in Laurel Park Place. Order it now from Reedy Press.

    Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X and Instagram on @davebirkett.

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