The Detroit Lions defeated the Seattle Seahawks by 42 points to 29 in a masterpiece of a Monday Night Football, which made the name of Jared Goff enter the record books of the NFL.
Goff’s perfect 18-of-18 performance, which resulted in a record 292-yard performance and two scores, broke the record for the highest percentage of completions in a single game, propelling the offensive attack into dominance.
This culminated in the Lions’ 4-1 record and a solid hold on the NFC North leadership. In the case of the Seahawks, who had just lost their first game, the tough 385-yard performance of Geno Smith was not enough to take down a secondary that had been torn to pieces by the Detroit explosive receivers.
The primetime battle was a blast as a total of 965 yards were scored and seven passing scores were made and a late safety to create a twist in a game that was won by the Lions who had cleared an initial 10-0 lead.
The pace was dictated by the ground game, mastered by 105 yards and two touchdowns of David Montgomery, and Seattle could not stop the onslaught in its defence, which suffered more injuries than usual. It was a repeat of last year, where the Seahawks won a thriller (37-31), but this time it was reversed; the team of Dan Campbell proved to be worth the Super Bowl bid.
By the end of Week 4, the player data of this fast-paced game highlight the accuracy of Goff, the ability to manoeuvre routes played by Amon-Ra St. Brown and the toughness of Seattle. As the playoff hopes are early developing, the presence of the balance in Detroit makes them a candidate to make a deep run, and the Seahawks need to reorganise as the injury-related concerns continue to mount.
Game Recap: Sluggish Beginning to a Slaughterhouse 5.0.
Seattle took the initiative in the bright lights as they drove 65 yards on their opening drive, which was topped by 4 yards of Kenneth Walker III, scoring a touchdown plunge to give the Huskies a 7-0 lead. It was extended to 10-0 on a Jason Myers 42 field goal, after a Detroit three-and-out by the Seahawks. Geno Smith got Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a 22-yard gain to start the tone as the remodelling Seattle defence under Mike Macdonald caused two early incompletions of Goff.
However, in the second quarter the Lions bellowed back. The 12-yard TD run by Montgomery tied the score at 10-10, and Goff delivered a sharp 18-yard pass to Sam LaPorta, giving the team a 17-10 lead at the half. The no-huddle pace used by Detroit exhausted the front seven of Seattle with 156 yards in that half. A debatable pass interference referee decision on Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon kept a Lions drive alive, which highlighted the intensity that marked the night.
The coronation of Detroit was in the third quarter. Fourteen attempts made Goff perfect, and he threw Jameson Williams a 70-yard bomb, the longest in the history of the Williams, to increase the lead to 24-10. Seattle answered with a 35-yard rainbow to DK Metcalf to Smith, but the second TD run by Montgomery was considered a 31-17. In the fourth quarter, Seattle had gotten within reach on a 28-yard Metcalf grab on a touchdown (38-24), but Goff had made a final dart to St. Brown to ensure a field goal to get some breathing space.
It was high time with 2:01 remaining: Drama Lions safety Kerby Joseph caused a fumble by Walker, but Seattle sacked Goff at the end zone at the last moment, turning it to 42-29. It was closed in by clock management in Detroit as the Ford Field followers sang “Jared! Jared!” The affair was spiced with penalties (16 of 142 yards) and turnovers (one each), but the 5-of-7 red-zone trips by Detroit were crucial. After the match, Campbell said jokingly: Perfect? Nah, but close enough. Our brand is gritty and gifted.
Best Performances: Flawless Night by Goff Steals the Show.
The brilliance of personalities shone through the Motown, and the efficiency of Goff was tinged with nothing but the fireworks of the supporting cast. Key luminaries included:
- Jared Goff (QB, Lions): The trade deadline sensation who was being traded in 2025 posted NFL history by passing 18-for-18, 292 yards and two TDs with a rating of 158.3. His fast moves counteracted the blitz of Seattle, and a pass to St. Brown, without looking, went viral.
- David Montgomery (RB, Lions): Montgomery is the lightning to the thunder of Gibbs, as he ran 16 times, getting 105 yards and two touchdowns, to which he added three catches, 22 yards. The distance he gained between the tackles averaged at 6.6 yards per carry.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR, Lions): Mr Reliable was the main player, as he had seven receptions totalling 112 yards and a TD, including a back-shoulder fade, which was successfully defended by, unfortunately, the other team.
- Geno Smith (QB, Seahawks): Smith fought, with 28/41, 385/TD and 1 INT. His talent in the arm kept Seattle alive, yet three sacks showed protection problems.
- DK Metcalf (WR, Seahawks): The physically freakish Washington received six catches with 148 yards and two scores, which also included a 35-yard deep pass that brought hope to the third quarter.
- Kenneth Walker III (RB, Seahawks): Walker ploughed 14 carries of 78 yards and one score, but a fumble near the end stopped the success. His versatility was contributed to by his receiving (four catches, 32 yards).
Lions LB Alex Anzalone had 10 tackles and a sack defensively, and Seahawks S Julian Love had nine tackles and left the game with a thigh injury. Detroit Aidan Hutchinson had 1.5 sacks, forcing Smith to rush his throws.
Key Player Statistics: By the Numbers.
The perfection passing (18/18) of Detroit was compared to the volume (385 yards) of Seattle, but the Lions’ total yards (512) were higher than Seattle’s (453). The following table shows the best contributors, in which Detroit has dominated the third-down (7-for-11 vs. 5-for-14).
| Player | Team | Position | Completions/Attempts | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs | Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Goff | DET | QB | 18/18 | 292 | 2 | 8 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| Geno Smith | SEA | QB | 28/41 | 385 | 3 | 12 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| David Montgomery | DET | RB | – | – | – | 105 | 2 | 22 | 0 | – | – | – |
| Kenneth Walker III | SEA | RB | – | – | – | 78 | 1 | 32 | 0 | – | – | – |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | DET | WR | – | – | – | – | – | 112 | 1 | – | – | – |
| DK Metcalf | SEA | WR | – | – | – | – | – | 148 | 2 | – | – | – |
| Jameson Williams | DET | WR | – | – | – | – | – | 76 | 1 | – | – | – |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | SEA | WR | – | – | – | – | – | 89 | 1 | – | – | – |
| Sam LaPorta | DET | TE | – | – | – | – | – | 54 | 1 | – | – | – |
| Alex Anzalone | DET | LB | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Julian Love | SEA | S | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Aidan Hutchinson | DET | DE | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 6 | 1.5 | 0 |
Source: Official NFL box score statistics. Wholes totals: Lions- 512 total yards, 26 first downs; Seahawks – 453 total yards, 23 first downs.
Implications on Season: Lions Roar, Seahawks Stumble.
The win over Detroit launches them to a 4-1 record, giving them a two-game lead over Green Bay and Minnesota (both 2-3), in the NFC North. The Stafford trade legacy is confirmed by the hot streak of Goff (10 TDs and one INT), and the Montgomery-Gibbs backfield (out-of-this-world totals 178 rushing yards) is the best in the NFL. Next: a bye week, and they host Dallas on 13 October, where they will put a test on their depth. St. Brown, a WR1, is a must-have in the fantasy, and the streaming value of Goff goes through the roof.
Their first loss in Seattle leaves them at 3-2, at the top of the NFC West, but showing some weakness. Both Uchenna Nwosu and Leonard Williams suffered injuries to their DEs, and Love had a problem with his thigh, as injuries to these three players put a strain on a unit that has only allowed 14 points per game before.
Week 5 at home vs. the Giants, the arm of Smith (1,172 yards going in) will possibly give hope, yet the run defence needs to recover with 178 rush yards. Macdonald thought to himself: hard lesson, but we are made to take it. Adjustments incoming.
NFC playoff contests pick up: Detroit is aiming at a top seed, Seattle is holding onto wild-card hopes. There are trade rumours abound- Are the Seahawks after a pass rusher? This defeat, although painful, gives them an underdog motivation.
Social Media Fan Response and Buzz.
The 65,000-plus at Ford Field went off like a rock concert, and Sweet Caroline turned into Goff chants. The trend #LionsWin was on top of the list in the country and had 1.8 million interactions. “Goff is HIM! Dan Campbell cooking,” wrote onePrideDET. Seahawks fans complained: “Goff is flawless, our defence is not even near–correct the secondary!” from @HawkMadness12.
The 70-yard TD clip by Williams had 3.7 million X views, which sparked debate on the deep threat. Analysts took to Twitter: Colin Cowherd referred to it as “Goff’s Grammy night,” Ryan Clark of ESPN complimented the fight of Seattle: “Smith-Metcalf duo is an elite; injuries are the actual villain.” This thriller establishes the rise of the Lions as the month of October begins. NFC North has just become more aggressive–who stops Detroit?