The Detroit Lions are finding themselves in an unfamiliar situation.
Ahead of the upcoming season, many are backing the franchise to win the NFC North and fans will be hoping this can become regular occurrence.
This is no small part due to Jared Goff's role at quarterback, after a mixed tenure with the Los Angeles Rams, Goff arrived at a Detroit team with low expectations.
Now under head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions are on the rise after just missing out on the playoffs in 2022 and the departure of Aaron Rodgers from Green Bay, this could be the opportunity Goff needs to stamp his authority on the division and attempt to bring the team's first Vince Lomabardi trophy to Ford Field.
Where was Jared Goff selected in the NFL Draft?
Jared Goff was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2016 NFL Draft, despite many analysts projecting Goff to be selected second overall by the Cleveland Browns.
In the build-up to the draft, there were some questions surrounding Goff's physical ability as he failed to turn heads in various tests, but he was still able to improve his draft stock with a strong showing in positional drills.
Jared Goff reaches Super Bowl with LA Rams
Within two seasons, Jared Goff reached the Super Bowl LIII with the Los Angeles Rams after a controversial 26-23 win over the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship.
But the task could not have been bigger with the Rams coming up against a New England Patriots team led by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
The game itself was not one to remember with the defenses of both teams dominating the play and Goff struggled. Completing 19 of his 38 passes for 229 yards, the quarterback will mostly be remembered for a costly interception to Stephon Gimore late in the fourth quarter.
The game ended 13-3 to the Patriots and the Rams then tied themselves with the 1971 Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI for the fewest points in Super Bowl history in the loss.
Jared Goff elevates Detroit Lions in 2022 season, sets high expectations for 2023
Jared Goff joined the Detroit Lions in March 2021, but his first season was one to forget with the team finishing with a dismal 3-13-1 record.
However, the following campaign could not have been anymore different.
Goff was electric under centre throughout the 2022 with 4,438 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and seven intereptions, but the Lions fell just short of reaching the playoffs with a 9-8 record.
Now competing in a signifcantly weaker NFC North, this could be the perfect opportunity for the Lions to begin an era of dominance and a number of offensive names have been added to the roster to help out Goff including running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgoery, and tight end Sam LaPorta.
With no new coaching personnel brought in, the offensive schemes are very unlikely to change and therefore, Goff should go onto to produce similar numbers to last season which will hopefully be enough to take the Lions into the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season.