Perfection: Jared Goff said after his 18-for-18 performance Monday night, which were the most completions in NFL history for a player with a 100.0 percent completion percentage, he's never had a game like that in all his time playing football. Goff checked it down when he had to and took what Seattle's defense gave him all night. When Goff plays like he did Monday night and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson calls a game like that, this is the best offense in football.
Safety net: Playing without Brian Branch (illness) vs. the Seahawks, Detroit was going to need a really good outing from veteran safety Kerby Joseph. That's exactly what they got. Joseph logged nine tackles (five solo), one tackle for loss, a pass defended, and he sealed the game with an interception. It's Joseph's third interception (all in the end zone) in four games. He now has 11 interceptions for his career. The guy is a ball hawk.
Montgomery sets tone: Running back David Montgomery rushed for 39 yards on the opening drive and a touchdown to set the tone for a Lions run game that finished with 116 yards. Jahmyr Gibbs finished with 78 rushing yards to pace Detroit's ground game, but Montgomery also had an electric 40-yard catch and run where he broke three tackles.
Montgomery has rushed for a touchdown in each of the first four games of the season. The only other time a Lions player has done that was Billy Sims in 1981. Montgomery and Gibbs each have 350 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns through the first four games of a season. They are currently the best running back duo in the NFL.
Primetime: Detroit improved to 6-2 in primetime games under Dan Campbell and have started a season 3-1 (or better) in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2013-14. After a performance like that and the atmosphere at Ford Field, it's no wonder the league wants to feature the Lions.
Depth upfront: We talk all the time about how talented and deep this offensive line is, and Monday was a great example of that. I thought Graham Glasgow stepped in and played terrific at center filling in for Frank Ragnow, and Kayode Awosika was solid at left guard. Those players upfront are the heartbeat for this offense and an offensive performance like the Lions had last night doesn't happen without the big guys playing the way they did.
Penalties: I asked Campbell about the 12 penalties for 101 yards after the game and he admitted that was too many, but he also said they knew they had to be physical with Seattle's receivers coming in and he didn't mind some of them. Overall there were seven penalties for defensive holding and pass interference on Carlton Davis III (4) and Terrion Arnold (3). Arnold has a PI call in every game this year. I love the way he challenges receivers, but I hope it doesn't cost Detroit in a close game down the line.
Rare company: Just how good has Gibbs been to start his young career? Playing in his 19th career game, he joins Barry Sanders (1989-90) and Sims (1980-81) as the only players in franchise history to top 1,600 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns through the first 20 games of their career.
Tackle drills: Detroit's defense had been really good tackling in space and rallying to the football in their three previous games, but they didn't tackle particularly well Monday night against a good Seattle team with some physical and elusive offensive players. Seattle had 38 first downs. I chalk it up as more of a one-off than a real problem, but it's something the Lions need to clean up before their next game in Dallas Oct. 13.
