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Jared Goff doesn't miss as the Lions survive a shootout against the Seahawks 42-29

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Jared Goff doesn't miss as the Lions survive a shootout against the Seahawks 42-29

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The Detroit Lions have their mojo back. At least on offense.

The Lions, who had 20 or fewer points in regulation in each of the first three weeks, scored six touchdowns on Monday and beat the Seattle Seahawks 42-29 in a battle of two of the NFC's best teams at Ford Field.

The Lions (3-1) appeared sluggish offensively in their first three games, running the ball well in spurts but lacking consistency overall. They returned to their run-first identity in last week's win over the Arizona Cardinals and hit all the right buttons – rushing and passing – on Monday.

How hard does this guy run? David Montgomery was MVP for the Detroit Lions early in the season after a thrilling catch

David Montgomery once again set the tone as he ran for 39 yards on seven carries on the first drive, and Jared Goff had perhaps his best game as a Lion, completing all 18 of his passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns.

Before Monday, only six players in NFL history had completed a game with a 100% completion rate on at least eight attempts, and Goff is the first QB to complete a perfect game with more than 10 attempts and the first to do so with more than 200 Yards creates.

The Lions scored more points Monday than in all but two games last year, averaging 8.1 yards per play before Goff's final two kneeling snaps.

Here are three more observations from Monday's game:

Mr. Perfect

Goff was brilliant.

Beyond his perfect completion percentage, Goff did an excellent job of dodging and avoiding pressure. He quickly found his check-downs. He distributed the ball (and completed passes to seven different receivers). And he has written a handful of great plays.

Jameson Williams scored on a 70-yard over route as the Lions caught Seattle on a six-man blitz. Montgomery broke three tackles on a 40-yard catch-and-run. And Goff caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Amon-Ra St. Brown on an end-around pass.

Tricks aside, Goff played Monday like the quarterback who led the Lions to the NFC championship game last season and secured a massive extension this spring. If he plays at anywhere near the same level in the future, the Lions will be hard to beat.

Davis does it

Carlton Davis III was cited three times for pass interference Monday. That's not good, but I thought his game was good overall.

Davis spent most of the game in single coverage against DK Metcalf (seven catches, 104 yards). He had seven tackles, one for loss, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery that set up a Lions touchdown.

Davis covered Jake Bobo on the Seahawks' failed two-point attempt in the third quarter and beat Metcalf with a jump ball in the end zone late in the game. Neither he nor the secondary were perfect; Terrion Arnold had two defensive holding penalties, a pass interference call and was out of position on Kenneth Walker III's long run.

But in a game where the Lions played without three defensive players and didn't tackle particularly well in the second half, Davis was a bright spot overall.

Who's next?

READ MORE HERE: The Detroit Lions induct Calvin Johnson into the Ring of Honor at halftime on Monday Night Football

The Lions honored Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson in a halftime ceremony Monday, making him the 21st member of the Pride of the Lions. Johnson had a brilliant nine-year career and I was lucky enough to cover most of it. I was there when he set the NFL single-season receiving yards record, when he had 211 yards in his playoff debut against the New Orleans Saints, and most of the amazing catches he made against multiple defenders.

Johnson's induction into the Pride of the Lions, nine years after his retirement, was long overdue, and my colleague Carlos Monarrez asked a question in press row on Monday that got me thinking: Who will be the next Lion to receive the honor ?

Ndamukong Suh is the first name that comes to mind. Suh is a borderline Hall of Famer who had his best years — three first-team All-Pros — in Detroit. He only played five years as a Lion, so that may not be enough. Carlos suggested Robert Porcher, and Porcher and his 95.5 sacks might be more likely given the role he played on the team in the 1990s.

Kevin Glover, the Lions' long-time center who helped open holes for Barry Sanders, is another name worth discussing, but as good as he was, I'm not sure about his credentials as a three-timer Pro Bowler warrant inclusion.

Aside from Johnson's ceremony, Lions owner Sheila Hamp was completely thrilled when she introduced Calvin to the sold-out Ford Field crowd on Sunday, a much different reception than Johnson's Hall of Fame ring ceremony in 2021.

Hamp deserved the cheer and probably should never have been booed because of her family's (football) sins. But wow, what a difference it makes when you win.

Dave Birkett will be signing copies of his new book, “Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline,” at the Pro Sports Zone at Laurel Park Place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Order it now from Reedy Press.

Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

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