Jared Goff and NFC-leading Lions score at will in 52-6 win over Jaguars

DETROIT (AP) — Jared Goff stood on the sideline wearing a baseball cap in the fourth quarter while his teammates finished off another rout.

Goff threw two of his four touchdown passes to Amon-Ra St. Brown, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for three rushing TDs and the Detroit Lions beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 52-6 on Sunday.

Just like Goff did when Detroit had lopsided wins over Tennessee (52-14) and Dallas (47-9) last month, he watched Hendon Hooker take snaps to gain experience.

“Normally, this doesn't happen,” coach Dan Campbell said after pulling most of his starters for much of the final quarter. “It's a good problem to have.”

The NFC-leading Lions (9-1) have won eight straight and nine of their first 10 games in a season for the first time since 1934.

Detroit's winning margin of 46 points was the largest in franchise history, and it handed Jacksonville its biggest-ever defeat. The Lions also set a franchise record in total yards with 645, the third most in the NFL in the past 20 years, while allowing 170 by the Jaguars, a 475-yard margin that was the third largest in league history.

“We felt like we could call anything,” Goff said.

The Lions, 1969 Minnesota Vikings and 1973 Atlanta Falcons are the three teams in the Super Bowl era to win three of their first 10 games by at least 35 points.

“Its quite the luxury to have in the NFL to take players out — ever,” Goff said.

The Jaguars (2-9) have lost four consecutive games for the second time this season and 14 of 17 since last year, a series of slumps that may cost coach Doug Pederson his job.

“There’s nothing I can do to control that,” Pederson said. “I’ve been around this game for a long time, and whatever is going to happen will happen.”

Jacksonville rookie Cam Little made a career-best 59-yard field goal on the game-opening drive and closed the first half with another field goal.

In between those kicks, the Lions scored four touchdowns to take a 28-3 lead, and they didn't take it easy on the Jags after halftime.

“We wanted to stay on the gas no matter what happened,” Campbell said.

Montgomery started the scoring barrage with a 2-yard run and Gibbs followed with a 1-yard run in the second quarter. Montgomery had a 6-yard run for his second score and Goff threw a 27-yard pass to St. Brown in the second quarter, extending the receiver's franchise record with a touchdown catch to eight straight games.

The Lions went ahead 49-6 early in the fourth quarter after Goff threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Williams, a 5-yarder to Brock Wright and a 9-yard strike to St. Brown on the right side of the end zone.

Goff finished 24 of 29 for 412 yards and four touchdowns. He had a perfect passer rating, a week after his career-high five interceptions didn't stop Detroit from rallying from a 16-point deficit to beat AFC South-leading Houston.

St. Brown (161) and Williams (124) had single-game highs for yards receiving. Montgomery and Gibbs combined for 218 yards of offense.

Hooker gave Goff a break in the fourth and set up Jake Bates' 54-yard field goal. Detroit ran out the clock in the final minutes, mercifully choosing not to score again.

Detroit's defense got a boost from newly acquired end Za'Darius Smith, who had a sack in his debut with the franchise.

Jacksonville’s Mac Jones struggled while starting for a second straight week in place of the injured Trevor Lawrence. He was 17 of 29 for 138 yards yards and was picked off near Detroit’s end zone late in the third quarter, floating a pass that Kerby Joseph took advantage of for his seventh interception this season.

Jag: Lawrence (shoulder) missed his second straight game and RB Tank Bigsby (ankle) was also inactive. CB Tyson Campbell (shoulder), C Mitch Morse (eye) and WR Gabe Davis (knee) were hurt during the game.

Lions: LB Alex Anzalone broke his left forearm and Campbell said he will be out six to eight weeks. ... CB Carlton Davis played sparingly after breaking his left thumb in practice during the week. ... WR Allen Robinson II (concussion) and TE Shane Zylstra (neck) were hurt during the game. ... TE Sam LaPorta (shoulder) was inactive.

The Jags have a bye before hosting Houston on Dec. 1, and question becomes whether Pederson still has a job when they return.

“Right now, I have a job and that is to get this team ready to play in two weeks,” Pederson said.

The Lions play at Indianapolis on Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) celebrates his nine-yard touchdown reception with Jameson Williams (9) and quarterback Jared Goff (16) amongst fans during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) is attended by medical staff during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) intercepts a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Luke Farrell (89) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson watches against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) celebrates his 64-yard touchdown reception against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) celebrates his nine-yard touchdown reception with fans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) runs the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) celebrates his two-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Lions defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) is introduced before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) tries to break the tackle of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) tries to break free from Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) celebrates his six-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Charlotte Hornets coach Charles Lee says star guard LaMelo Ball is “very apologetic” for making what the NBA called “an offensive and derogatory comment” as it fined him $100,000, the maximum allowed by league rule.

Ball made the comment Saturday on FanDuel Sports Network shortly after the Hornets defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 115-114.

Sideline reporter Shannon Spake asked Ball about the team’s defensive strategy against Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo on the game’s final play, and Ball used an anti-gay slur while delivering his answer.

The league penalized the 23-year-old Ball on Sunday before the Hornets played in Cleveland.

Lee opened his pregame media availability by addressing the situation and said he had spoken to Ball about his behavior.

“As an organization that is obviously not something we condone," said Lee, who is in his first season as Charlotte's coach. "Our standards and what is required of our players in the environment we create is really important to us.

“I spoke to Melo and he’s obviously very apologetic. From what I’ve seen since I’ve been around him, he loves everyone. He’s a joy to have around the facility and it’s not typically how he operates. He and I talked about the seriousness of the situation and how he needs to conduct himself going forward.”

Lee said Ball was remorseful.

“He understands what’s going to be expected of him," he said. "I look forward to seeing him grow from this moment, but I wanted to start off by saying that we apologize for what happened.”

Ball was not made available to reporters before the game.

Lee was confident Ball would keep his word.

“He and I talked about it and he definitely said going forward, ‘I’m going to be better’ and I want to see that happen," Lee said. "So for somebody to use those words and say that out of his mouth we will make sure to hold him accountable to that.”

Ball had 26 points in the win over Milwaukee, including a pair of free throws with 7.3 seconds left that gave Charlotte the lead for good.

Ball is averaging 29.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds in his fifth season. He was Rookie of the Year in 2020-21 and an All-Star the following season.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball gestures after making a 3-point shot against the Orlando Magic during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) drives past Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner, left, during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)