The NFL has made a ruling on a controversial play involving Jared Goff during the Detroit Lions’ playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, and it’s in Goff’s favor.
The Lions suffered a surprising 45-31 defeat to the Commanders in their first playoff game, a match they were heavily favored to win, especially as it was at home. As a result, many Lions fans are still grappling with the loss.
However, the NFL has responded by penalizing a Commanders player for an illegal hit during the game, bringing some sense of justice to the situation.
Commanders Player Fined for Hit on Jared Goff
During the game, Washington linebacker Frankie Luvu was not penalized for roughing the passer when he struck Goff, which allowed a pick-six to stand. Fans were upset at the time, but the touchdown was upheld. On January 25, the NFL announced that Luvu would be fined $16,883 for a “blow to the head/neck” of Goff.
While the fine doesn’t change the game’s outcome — the Lions are still out of the playoffs and the Commanders will face the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship — it does confirm that Luvu’s hit on Goff was illegal and that the NFL is acknowledging the mistake.
It might offer some comfort to Goff, as it indicates the hit should have been penalized, especially considering its role in the pick-six.
NFL analyst Tom Pelissero noted the significance of the play, calling it a “pivotal play in Washington’s upset win.”
“The NFL fined Commanders LB Frankie Luvu $16,883 for roughing the passer (blow to the head/neck) — his block on Lions QB Jared Goff that aided a pick-six return,” Pelissero wrote on X. “No flag was thrown on what ended up being a pivotal play in Washington’s upset win.”
More Fines for Luvu and Williams
Luvu received another $16,883 fine from the NFL for an illegal hip-drop tackle on Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs. The referees missed that penalty as well, though the Lions managed to score a touchdown shortly after, softening the blow.
Additionally, Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was fined $25,355 for unsportsmanlike conduct due to obscene gestures made during a 61-yard touchdown run.
Jared Goff Discusses Dan Campbell’s Reaction to the Loss
After the defeat, Goff spoke to the media and expressed disappointment over the result. When asked about head coach Dan Campbell taking responsibility for the loss, Goff said, “He is, and he shouldn’t do that, but that’s who he is, and we feed off his emotion, his energy, and he believes in us and he loves us and he cares for us. He puts everything he has in it for us, as well, and yeah, we’re extremely disappointed in ourselves, as well.”
Goff also acknowledged that while the Commanders are a “good team,” he felt that had the Lions “played our best, maybe it’s a different outcome. I don’t know, but you’d like to think so.”
