DETROIT — Jared Goff is good enough for Detroit, as his coach recently reminded him.
Cast away by the Los Angeles Rams three years ago in a trade for Matthew Stafford, the quarterback was welcomed by the Lions and has since become a fan favorite at Ford Field, where the crowd chanted his name during a second consecutive home playoff triumph for the long-downtrodden franchise.
Goff threw his second touchdown pass with 6:22 left and the Lions beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 in the divisional round on Sunday, lifting Detroit into the NFC championship for the first time in 32 years and just the second time in franchise history.
He took a knee on three consecutive snaps to run out the clock, giving him a chance to enjoy the sights and sounds as fans stood, screamed and twirled white towels.
“I knew it would be the last one in front of our home fans this year, and I took it all in,” Goff said.
The Lions won two playoff games in a season for the first time since 1957, the last year they won the NFL title, and had two postseason games at home for the first time.
Now they have to travel to face San Francisco, the NFC’s top seed, on Sunday for a spot in the Super Bowl — a game they have never played in.