What we learned from Jared Goff in the NFC playoffs

The Los Angeles Rams and their fans are leaving January play feeling better about quarterback Jared Goff than they did after the regular season.

The Rams’ season may have ended on Saturday in a 32-18 loss at the Green Bay Packers, but Goff played well in the defeat and showed a lot of toughness in the postseason.

Moving forward, the Rams should feel good about their quarterback. LA will be a playoff contender in 2021 and Goff showed he’s up to the task of leading that charge.

Goff led a decent Rams’ offensive attack at Green Bay despite having surgery on the thumb of his throwing hand just 19 days earlier. Goff finished the game completing 21 of 27 pass attempts for 174 yards and he threw a touchdown pass. It was a game effort as Goff played without top target, receiver Cooper Kupp, who didn‘t play because of a knee injury.

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Goff looked a lot better this Saturday than he did last Saturday in the Wild Card round game at the Seattle Seahawks. Goff came off the bench in the first quarter after his backup, John Wolford, left the game with a neck injury. Goff helped lead the Rams to a 30-20 win even though it was clear he was badly affected by his injured thumb. Rams coach Sean McVay appreciated Goff’s effort in that game:

Goff showed a lot last week as he gutted it out. This week, he practiced every day and performed well, even though he wasn’t completely healthy.

Coaches and teammates will remember that type of effort.

After playing well for much of the season, Goff sagged down the stretch and made a lot of mistakes. Yet, his courage and play in the postseason reaffirms that he is definitely the quarterback for this team in 2021.

Following the game, Goff wasn’t in the mood to hear about moral victories, which is also a good sign moving forward.