By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s quarterback insists there’s “no concern,” but admits there’s “a ton to fix” as the Lions’ offense struggles to regain its edge.
The Detroit Lions were supposed to look refreshed and ready to roll after their Week 8 bye. Instead, they stumbled out of the gate with a flat performance in a 27–24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings — a game that raised serious questions about the offense’s rhythm, execution, and identity.
Lions Offense Losing Its Sharpness
Quarterback Jared Goff has typically fared well against Minnesota’s aggressive defensive schemes, but this time was different. The Vikings’ relentless pressure rattled him throughout the afternoon — Goff was sacked five times and hit 11 more, with Minnesota finally finding a way to turn Brian Flores’ blitz-heavy approach into real chaos.
According to Next Gen Stats, Goff completed just 8 of 14 passes for 74 yards against the blitz, averaging a modest 5.3 yards per attempt and a 71.7 passer rating. When pressured, those numbers dropped even further — 6 of 15 for 71 yards and a 55.1 rating.
The Lions’ offense, built around a strong run game, couldn’t find its footing either. Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for only 65 rushing yards on 20 carries, leaving Detroit without the balance it needs to sustain drives or protect its quarterback.
Goff’s Measured Optimism Hints at Underlying Concern
After the game, Goff tried to strike a hopeful tone about the state of Detroit’s offense — but his own words painted a more complicated picture.
«“No concern, but there’s certainly an urgency of fixing things,” Goff said. “And we did fix things I think from two weeks ago, but there’s more to fix obviously. There’s a ton to fix and a ton of things to get better at.”»
Despite claiming he isn’t worried, Goff’s repeated emphasis on “fixing things” underscored what fans and analysts are already seeing — an offense that has lost its sharpness and consistency.
Detroit entered the game with the 22nd-ranked third-down conversion rate (37.6%), and its 5-for-17 performance against Minnesota only made matters worse. Offensive coordinator John Morton hasn’t yet found a reliable rhythm or identity, with the team’s predictable third-down play-calling — including an overreliance on short screens — drawing growing criticism.
Searching for Offensive Identity
Since Morton took over for former coordinator Ben Johnson, the Lions have shown flashes of their old form in only a few of their eight games — often against struggling defenses. That’s left many wondering whether this unit can recapture the explosiveness that defined Detroit’s recent resurgence.
At this stage of the season, with a bye week already in the rearview mirror, excuses are harder to come by. Goff’s admission that there’s “a ton to fix” reflects not just urgency, but awareness — that time is running short for the Lions to rediscover their offensive balance.
What Comes Next for Detroit
One bad game can sometimes be dismissed as a blip. But when those offensive issues — from inconsistent pass protection to poor third-down efficiency — become a pattern, they can derail a team with legitimate playoff ambitions.
Goff may be trying to keep the locker room calm and confident, but his mixed message tells the story: the Lions are aware of their shortcomings, and they know they need to respond quickly.
With pivotal matchups ahead, Detroit’s ability to clean up its execution and regain offensive identity could determine whether its season stays on track — or starts to unravel.