Jared Goff quietly builds MVP case in Detroit

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Jared Goff quietly builds MVP case in Detroit

Originally posted on Lindy's Sports | By Eman Zahra | Last updated Oct 26, 2026 8:04 PM ET

Detroit’s 20-17 win over Green Bay, which ended on a field goal in the final second, strengthened the MVP case for Jared Goff. Fox Sports’ Ben Arthur argues Goff belongs in the conversation, and the numbers back him up.

Against the Packers, Goff went 22-of-32 for 303 yards and two scores. This season, he has 14 touchdown passes and zero picks, which ties an NFL record for touchdowns without an interception through a team’s first six games.

Brock Purdy and Josh Allen are still ahead of him in the MVP race, but Goff is thriving in first-year coordinator Drew Petzing’s offense. Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 116 yards, 37 of them on the final drive.

Brian Branch’s return could fix the weakest part of the roster

The Lions had the league’s worst pass defense through six weeks. Branch, the 2024 Pro Bowl safety, made his season debut after starting on PUP while recovering from an Achilles injury. He picked off Jordan Love early in the fourth quarter.

Branch, the 2024 Pro Bowl safety, made his season debut after starting on PUP while recovering from an Achilles injury.Cooper Neill / Getty Images

The secondary still allowed chunk plays on third and fourth down, including completions of 22, 27 and 28 yards. But Branch was on a snap count in his first game in about 10 months, so there’s room for improvement.

Josh Jacobs returned from the commissioner’s exempt list and carried 11 times for 36 yards. Green Bay has yet to reach 100 net rushing yards in a game this season. The Packers also turned a fourth-and-4 at the Detroit 7 into a turnover on downs instead of kicking a tying field goal, another decision that will draw heat.

They host the Panthers on Thursday night.

Detroit moves to 4-2 and hosts Minnesota on Sunday. The Vikings beat the Colts 16-10 to stay perfect, and they’re now the target in a division with three quality teams chasing them. If Branch keeps getting healthier and Goff keeps putting up MVP-worthy numbers, Detroit has a real chance to put the first mark in Minnesota’s loss column.

This article first appeared on Lindy's Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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