Week 3 at Minnesota Vikings
A strong day for Jared Goff against the Commanders, as Detroit jumped out early at home, leading 22-0 at one point. Goff threw four touchdowns and over 250 yards. This week, it's the first road trip of the regular season and a date with the Minnesota Vikings, who are going to be steamed after getting rolled by Jalen Hurts and the Eagles on Monday night. It certainly won't be easy for Goff, but he's still worth a look if you're in a 2QB league and need a second option.
Week 2 vs. Washington Commanders
Jared Goff got off to a decent start, throwing for 215 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles. The Lions were playing a little catch-up in the second half. This week, Goff gets Washington, who allowed 275 yards and only one touchdown to Trevor Lawrence. Detroit is favored in this game at home, but not necessarily because of Goff. If you're in a two-QB league, Goff is worth a look as your second option. Otherwise, you can keep him on the bench for now in a standard league.
Week 1 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
When Ben Campbell took over as play-caller midway through the 2021 season, Jared Goff seems more comfortable in the Lions offense and really built a connection with WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. That momentum should carry over into Week 1, but he faces what has become a very tough Eagles defense, at least on paper. The Eagles now have former Lion Darius Slay, James Bradberry and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in the secondary that can make yards through the air very difficult to come by for Goff this week. But he can always check down to RB D'Andre Swift. Consider Goff a low-end QB2 this week.
2022 Fantasy Upside
Jared Goff finished the season on a bit of a high note as the Lions started to find themselves late in the season, including a Week 18 victory over the Packers (even if the Packers rested most of their starters). Goff finished with 11 touchdown passes and just two interceptions in his last five games played in 2021 (missed Weeks 16 and 17). With Ben Johnson taking control of the offense and the additions of DJ Chark and Jameson Williams to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Goff may have a bit more juice in what may be his last season in Detroit. He’ll hope to carry that late momentum over to 2022.
2022 Fantasy Downside
Goff was also extremely inconsistent in 2021, as he has been his entire career. Goff only threw 19 touchdowns all season and had five games with zero touchdowns. He also only had one game with 300 passing yards and that was Week 1 (he came close in Week 13 with 296). Be prepared for a number of single-digit outputs from Goff, even with the improved offense on paper.
2022 Bottom Line
Goff comes in just outside our top 25 for now, but there will be weeks where he has QB2 upside. He’s a late-round option in standard leagues and a deep QB2 in 2QB/Superflex leagues.
Week 17 at Seahawks
Jared Goff returns to the lineup to take on a Seahawks defense that ranks 13th in Schedule-Adjusted Fantasy Points per Game allowed to quarterbacks, making this a tough matchup. Prior to missing Week 16, Goff had been playing his best football of the season, finishing in the Top-8 quarterbacks in two of his last three games. While he's too risky to start outside of SuperFlex leagues, he could be an option in DFS tournaments.
Update: Goff is doubtful for Week 17
Week 16 at Falcons
Jared Goff is at risk of missing this week's game due to COVID-19. If he does play, he's on the radar in SuperFlex leagues because he's playing his best football of the season, finishing as QB6, QB24, and QB8 in his last three games. If Goff can't go, you can steer clear of this entire passing game with Tim Boyle or David Blough under center.
Week 15 vs Cardinals
Jared Goff is playing his best football of the season of late, combining for 511 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions in his last two games. He finished as QB6 and QB24 during that span. The Lions are double-digit underdogs with a low implied total in this game against the Cardinals, so there's no way we can trust Goff as a streamer.
The Cardinals rank fourth in Schedule-Adjusted Fantasy Points per Game, so this is a tough pass defense. Goff would need all hands on deck, namely D'Andre Swift, in order to provide strong production in this game. Goff is only on the radar in SuperFlex or 2-QB formats.
Week 14 at Broncos
Jared Goff showed signs of life against the Vikings last week, completing 25-of-41 passes for 296 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Having said that, it's tough to recommend Goff as a streamer given how poorly he's played this season, especially against a Broncos defense that ranks 9th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game.
Week 13 vs. Vikings
Jared Goff isn't viable in fantasy leagues aside from desperate situations in SuperFlex formats. He takes on a Vikings defense that ranks 12th in Schedule-Adjusted Fantasy Points per Game, so this isn't an easy matchup. You also have to consider that Goff will be without his best weapon in D'Andre Swift. It's tough to envision a scenario where Goff goes off in this spot.
Week 11 at Browns
Jared Goff missed Wednesday and Thursday's practices with an oblique injury, putting his status in doubt for Sunday's game. If he can't go, Tim Boyle would take the reins at quarterback. If Goff can play, he's off the fantasy radar because he's been one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL this season. The Browns' pass rush led by Myles Garrett would give him fits in this matchup.
