'MNF' takeaways: Jared Goff throws perfect game, outduels Geno Smith in shootout

Goff finished two attempts shy of qualifying for the NFL's single-game completion percentage record, but he ended the game with the most attempts without an incompletion, beating Hall of Famer Kurt Warner's previous record by eight attempts.

Goff was outstanding, and while his Monday night performance is impossible to replicate, it's a reminder of how good the Lions can be when firing on all cylinders. 

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson called an excellent game, utilizing play-action at the right times, leading Goff to go 12-of-12 for 229 yards on play-action attempts, per NFL Next Gen Stats.

Geno Smith is a top-10 quarterback, and he might not be 6-10

The Seahawks may have lost, but it's difficult to see them as a loser when Smith is playing like one of the best quarterbacks in football. Sure, it's disheartening to lose a game when Smith played fantastic, but he's shown over the past two-plus seasons that his resurgence isn't a fluke. He's improving.

Smith had career-highs across the board on Monday, finishing the game 38-of-56 for 395 yards, one touchdown and one interception on his last throw, a desperation heave to the end zone with the game out of reach.

Seattle's defense must improve, but Smith's performance solidified him as one of the league's best quarterbacks. And when a team has someone playing like a top-five quarterback on its roster, it will likely win more games than it loses.

Opportunistic Lions defense is the difference

The game may have turned out differently if not for one play. In the second quarter, Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf fumbled the football while fighting for extra yards on a first-down reception in Lions territory. 

Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III scooped the loose ball and took it 49 yards, setting Detroit with a first down at Seattle's 14-yard line.

The Lions scored a touchdown three plays later for a 14-0 lead. Who knows how that Seahawks drive would have ended without the fumble? Based on how the offense moved the ball, probably in the end zone.

That potential 14-point swing loomed the entire game, even more so following Detroit's 13-point win. 

Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams' explosiveness is exactly what Detroit needs

Seattle briefly pulled within one score, 28-20, in the third quarter before Williams' 70-yard touchdown reception gave the Lions separation.

He only had two receptions on Monday, but he made them count. This season, he has 289 receiving yards, already just 65 yards shy of surpassing his total in 12 games last season.

The Lions have a solid rushing attack led by running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Goff already has a strong rapport with 2023 All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who feasts on intermediate routes.

Williams can blow the lid off defenses, and the Lions will be even more formidable when they make getting Williams the football a priority.