Jared Goff was perfect for Detroit that night

DETROIT – Jared Goff set an NFL record for most passes without putting a ball on the turf. He finished with more touchdowns Catches (one) as incompleteness (zero). He also threw two scores, including a 70-yarder to Jameson Williams that broke Seattle's back and an 8-yard toe-taper to Amon-Ra St. Brown that put the game on ice.

It was a perfect game, even if the NFL's byzantine quarterback ratings say otherwise.

Dan Campbell, what do you think?

“Well, I just gave the game ball to someone else,” the head coach said. “I feel terrible right now.”

It was a night like this for the Detroit Lions offense with a 42-29 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. There were just so many things going well. Yes, Jamo let go — really, really loosely — for a 70-yard touchdown catch. He also delivered some massive blocks and earned the first game ball of his young career. And then there's St. Brown, who scored with two feet for a late touchdown that helped solidify the win. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 118 yards and three touchdowns. Even the Pro Bowl center offensive line, which forced two players into new positions, remained ruthless against Seattle for most of the evening.

Cue balls could have gone in many directions. But on a night where everything went right, it was Goff who shined the most, completing all 18 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns. It was a historic achievement — it nearly doubled Kurt Warner's previous record for most passes without an incompletion (10) — but somehow no one seemed to notice when he was on the field. Even Goff didn't realize his performance until he spoke to an NFL Network reporter as he left the field.

“I had no idea he was even 18 for 18,” St. Brown said. “So after the game, to cheer everyone up, I'm doing NFL Network, they ask me a few questions, she says, 'You know, Jared didn't put the ball on the ground.' How does that feel?' In my head I'm thinking, “I know he didn't fumble.” Does that mean he didn't put the ball on the ground? And so I come here after the game, I look at my phone and it says he went 18 for 18 with no incompletions. I look at him and I'm like, 'Brother, didn't you have any incompletions?' I'm like, damn, I didn't even know.”

Another night for the Lions offense. Of course, that's what we expected from Detroit this season. This unit has finished in the top five each of the last two seasons and has brought back almost everyone this season, including Ben Johnson. But they disappointed in the first three games, struggling to put four quarters together and never scoring more than 20 points in regulation.

Too much talent for something like that.

Even Ben Johnson knew something had to give.

“We're just too talented as a group not to have more production and more points than we've had,” Johnson said Friday. “It’s only a matter of time before we make a breakthrough.”

Three days later they did. They scored a three-pointer on their first series and then scored five touchdowns on the next six series. It was a masterclass in playmaking, beating Seattle to the ground, then going over the top when the defense began to collapse, then throwing a haymaker when Seattle least expected it.

The play was called “Alcatraz.” It's been in the playbook for a few years now, and they even upped it a few times last year, even though the defense gave the wrong impression and Goff switched to running plays both times. Then on Monday Night Football, Goff walked to the line of scrimmage and nodded meaningfully to St. Brown.

It was on.

Goff threw the ball left to right to St. Brown, then ran back left and caught a perfect 7-yard pass for the touchdown. It was the first touchdown catch of his career.

“And I say this is my first child since I was seven years old,” Goff said.

Goff was far from perfect this season, although the resurgent defense still helped Detroit win two of its first three games. Then, with the defense losing three starters against the powerful Seahawks, Goff delivered one of the most perfect performances by a quarterback in league history, giving the Lions a 3-1 start to halftime.

They have the second-best record in the NFC and still have four quarters to go as a team.

Scary, right?

“I think we’re capable of doing that every week with the guys we have in this offense,” St. Brown said. “If we can just stay focused and do our job for most of the game, I think the sky is the limit for us. We have a lot of guys who can play.”

No doubt. And when they finally get going, there's no telling how good this team can be.

• BET: Check out our guide on how to do this The best sportsbooks in Michiganwhere our team of sports betting experts reviewed the experience, payout speed, combination options and quality of odds for multiple sportsbooks.