Jared Goff reveals why Lions could have a big Week 5 advantage over Bengals
The Detroit Lions know all too well the perils of an NFL schedule, and as they come off a short week, they shift to a wounded opponent also set to go through the same logistical issues.
In Week 3, the Lions defeated the Baltimore Ravens in a physical, emotional Monday Night Football game. Then, they had to abruptly shift focus and prepare for the Cleveland Browns, one of the league's best defenses.
You'll have to excuse them if they don't feel badly for the Cincinnati Bengals, then, as they get set to do a similar thing in Week 5. The Bengals sustained an ugly 28-3 loss to the Denver Broncos Monday and had to fly back east on short rest to prepare for a home game with the tough Lions.
Jared Goff knows all too well the difficulties of Monday Night games and short weeks. Joining "Karsch and Anderson" on 97.1 The Ticket, he explained what Cincinnati faces, and revealed why everything feels slightly off on such a short week.
"You're just a little bit behind. There's no way around it. It's just the math of it. I don't know what time they landed, but they're starting on us now in theory and we started yesterday. It was the same thing for Cleveland last week and we were a day behind. It sucks."
More than anything mentally, the physical challenge is the biggest stumbling block in Goff's mind. The week starts off with a lack of sleep, and preparation is quickly cramped, putting a team in a difficult spot.
"The hardest part is you're tired. For us, landing from Baltimore, (we) got home at 4:30 in the morning and you're expected to go to sleep and wake up at whatever time and get back to work. It's not ideal, but everyone in the league has to deal with it and we got ours out of the way last week and now they're dealing with it this week."
The Bengals are a very bruised 2-2, coming in with a critical injury to quarterback Joe Burrow that has challenged their roster. That combined with a short week could set up an ideal situation for the Lions to pounce and remain hot.
Goff looking more fleet of foot in 2025 to quietly help Lions' offense
In addition to the schedule, there's another subtle thing that could give the Lions an advantage as they get set to get back on the road. Goff has been able to extend the play in the pocket a bit better than usual in 2025 due to his shocking fleetness of foot.
As Goff explained, he has focused on moving around and improving his foot speed as it relates to escaping in multiple different offseasons. Even if it seems as if he is much better this season, he hasn't put any more or less focus on the trait in terms of his preparation lately.
"I'm always working on that. I don't know if it's something I put more emphasis on this year rather than others. I'm always trying to get better at that through the offseason and different training ways and working on my foot speed and quickness in the pocket. I'm obviously not going to run for a ton of yards, but if I can keep my feet hot and move around the pocket quickly, it helps us."
This week, Goff is going to have deftness in the pocket with Trey Hendrickson bearing down on him up front. Last week, he had to deal with Myles Garrett and did a good job. Hendrickson will pose a similar challenge this time around no matter how good a resurgent offensive line is playing.
Perhaps the Lions will be able to count on a little less gas in the tank from the Bengals to help them over the top on the road. If that's the case, the schedule makers could be the biggest culprits.
Saints' Running Game Surges Under Kellen Moore: A Playoff Push in the Works
Saints Find Their Offensive Identity Under Kellen Moore: The Return of the Run Game
When Kellen Moore was hired as the New Orleans Saints’ head coach back in February, many wondered how his offensive philosophy would transform the team. Just a quarter into the season, the answer is clear: the run game is the foundation of Moore’s strategy.
The Saints’ rushing offense, once a weak point, now ranks among the best in the league, sitting comfortably at 10th in the NFL. This marks the first time since 2020 that the Saints have had such success on the ground. Alvin Kamara, the veteran running back, leads the charge with 256 rushing yards and is on pace for a career-high season with over 1,000 yards.
The emergence of Kendre Miller has also been a key factor in the Saints' success. Moore has given Miller a fresh start, and the second-year player has seized the opportunity, rushing for 124 yards and a touchdown on just 28 carries. With his current trajectory, Miller is poised to shatter his career highs and become a reliable backup to Kamara.
Even quarterback Spencer Rattler has contributed to the ground game, adding 102 rushing yards on the season. This diverse rushing attack has not only revitalized the Saints' offense but has also set the stage for their playoff hopes, which seem far more promising under Moore than they did in previous seasons.
Looking ahead, the Saints face the New York Giants in Week 5, a team struggling with one of the worst rushing defenses in the league. With the Saints’ new emphasis on the run game, scoring should come easily against the Giants. This game also marks the first time this season that the Saints are favored to win, a testament to the impact Moore has had on the team.
The Saints' offensive identity under Kellen Moore is now clear: a diverse, dynamic, and powerful run game. With Kamara, Miller, and even Rattler stepping up, the Saints are poised to be a force to reckon with as the season progresses.
