Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions will play the vast majority of their games indoors. This year’s NFL schedule puts them in a great position for success if a bizarre greenhouse effect continues in 2024.
Goff plays significantly better in a dome than he does outdoors amongst the elements.
Detroit has the 11th-hardest schedule in the league based on last year’s win percentages. It will play seven teams that made the playoffs during the 2023/24 season. The path to a second-straight division title is not going to be easy.
However, the location of the Lions’ games might play in their favor! 14 of their first 15 games are going to be played at an indoor venue. They will only play outdoors three times all season.
- vs. Los Angeles — dome
- vs. Tampa Bay — dome
- at Arizona — dome
- vs. Seattle — dome
- BYE
- at Dallas — dome
- at Minnesota — dome
- vs. Tennessee — dome
- at Green bay – outdoor
- at Houston — dome
- vs. Jacksonville — dome
- at Indianapolis — dome
- vs. Chicago — dome
- vs. Green Bay — dome
- vs. Buffalo — dome
- at Chicago — outdoors
- at San Francisco – outdoors
- vs. Minnesota — dome
Goff is something of an enigma when it comes to playing inside compared to outside. He completed 69% of his passes for 2,981 yards and 23 touchdowns with eight interceptions at indoor stadiums last season. On the flip side, he completed just 64.5% of his passes for 1,594 yards and seven touchdowns with four interceptions at outdoor stadiums.
Goff’s career completion percentage is 67.5% in a dome. 62% without a dome. His passer rating is 99 in a dome. 89 without a dome.
There is no clear indication as to why this happens.
Of course, the obvious answer is weather. The numbers suggest that Jared Goff can’t handle the elements. While that might be a contributing factor, Detroit won games at Kansas City, Green Bay, Tampa Bay and Denver in 2023. All four of those teams play outside.
It doesn’t make a ton of sense, but the Lions are in great position to repeat as NFC North champions if the bizarre dome trend continues!