Goff’s Perfect Record vs. Mahomes Faces Ultimate Test

The last time the Detroit Lions faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs was a significant milestone for the franchise. Kicking off the 2023 NFL season by going on the road against the defending Super Bowl champions and coming away with a victory was a moment that many deemed a turning point for the Lions. It was proof that this team was not the "Same Old Lions."

That game was only the second time Lions quarterback Jared Goff and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes have gone head-to-head. Goff may have been wearing a different uniform this time, but the result was still the same. Goff improved his record against Mahomes to 2-0, and on Sunday, Goff will have the opportunity to go to 3-0.

While Goff and Mahomes will only share the field before kickoff and during postgame handshakes, an undefeated record against Mahomes is still a remarkable feat. Mahomes is one of the best and most accomplished QBs ever, with his Chiefs led by an all-time great head coach in Andy Reid. They're winners, and the standard every franchise strives to reach.

That Lions victory over the Chiefs in 2023 was hard-fought. The Lions were down by a touchdown at the half and grinded out a 21-20 win, thanks in part to a pick-six by rookie safety Brian Branch. Goff turned in a respectable game, completing 22 of his 35 passes for 253 yards and a TD. Mahomes matched him well, completing 21 of his 39 passes for 226 yards and two TDs on top of the aforementioned interception. It was an impressive win, but far from the fireworks of Goff's first meeting with Mahomes.

In November 2018, Goff and Mahomes squared off in an instant classic -- unless you're a fan of defense. Goff, then with the Los Angeles Rams, amassed 413 yards and four TDs while Mahomes threw for 478 yards of his own on top of six TDs. Each QB lost two fumbles throughout the game, but Mahomes' three interceptions to Goff's zero proved key to the Rams' 54-51 victory, which saw the Chiefs and Rams combine for over a thousand yards.

In 2019, the NFL ranked that game as the 33rd best game of all-time, which was the second-highest non-playoff game on their 100 Greatest Games list. It's understandable that expectations are high when Goff and Mahomes go head-to-head.

The stakes are high for this third leg of the trilogy

Goff and Mahomes will meet once again for their third primetime bout, this time on Sunday Night Football. Interestingly enough, this will be their first meeting on a Sunday, as they previously played on a Monday and Thursday.

Maybe a Sunday game is just what the doctor ordered for the struggling Chiefs, who are reeling after
a shocking loss on Monday Night Football to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Chiefs are facing a potential 2-4 start in a tough AFC conference. It's tough to blame Mahomes for this start, given his aging roster and an offense where he leads the team in rushing yards. For the Chiefs to win, he'll need to return to an MVP level and attack the Lions' depleted cornerback group to make this a 2018-like shootout.

As for the Lions, they're riding high after rebounding from a Week 1 loss by winning four consecutive games. Goff has been playing at an MVP level, currently leading the league in TD passes and completion percentage while ranking in the top two in other categories such as passer rating and TD percentage. Injuries are proving to be a cause for concern again for the Lions, but the offense is still a force, averaging a league-leading 34.8 points per game. The Chief's defense still poses a test, however, averaging 21.4 points per game, good for a tie for 13th best.

Above all else, each time Goff and Mahomes have met, both QBs have gone on to appear in the conference championship game, with at least one of them reaching the Super Bowl. Regardless of the result, the Super Bowl will continue to be the expectation for both teams going forward. Sunday will go a long way toward making that expectation a reality.

Deebo Samuel’s Injury Puts Commanders in Crisis Mode Ahead of Week 6 Matchup

The Washington Commanders will be without the wide receiver duo of Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown for their

Monday Night Football showdown against the Chicago Bears. And there could be another gut punch coming in the not-too-distant future.

Washington hasn't missed McLaurin and Brown as much as fans initially envisaged. Others have done an admirable job of filling the void, with recent acquisition Deebo Samuel Sr. leading the charge.

Adam Peters sent a fifth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for Samuel this offseason. It's proven to be an outstanding piece of business so far, but the former South Carolina standout has also been playing through the pain barrier.

Commanders could be without Deebo Samuel Sr. in Week 6

Samuel is dealing with bruising on his heel. That can't be getting better, given the collisions he's involved in on game days. The Commanders have been ultra-cautious with his practice involvement throughout, but the wideout was officially listed as questionable for Week 6.

Head coach Dan Quinn revealed that it will be a genuine game-time decision for Samuel. The extra day of rest could prove crucial, but the signs suggest that it could go either way.

If Samuel cannot go, the Commanders would be in full-blown crisis mode. They'd be relying on the run game more than ever. Luke McCaffrey would be the No. 1 receiver, which is a lot to ask despite the 2024 third-round pick enjoying a breakout campaign through five weeks.

The Commanders have fourth-round rookie Jaylin Lane and the wildly inconsistent Chris Moore to pick up the slack, too. This could be the week either undrafted rookie Ja'Corey Brooks or Robbie Chosen gets elevated from the practice squad alongside Tay Martin.

This will also place more onus on veteran tight end Zach Ertz to produce the goods, which he's done on countless occasions since joining the Commanders in 2024 free agency.

None of these receivers compares to Samuel's influence, of course. He's an explosive weapon with dynamism and versatility. He's also as tough as they come. The heel complication must be causing him severe discomfort, which is why his availability is hanging in the balance.

For fans, it's an anxious wait. The Commanders' chances diminish without Samuel, especially with McLaurin and Brown also missing. At the same time, the team's passionate support knows that with superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels under center, they are never out of the fight.

The Commanders need Samuel. However, they cannot risk the problem worsening at this relatively early stage of the campaign. It's a difficult situation, but Washington's accomplished staff will make the right call one way or another.