Since 2023, the top two players in passing yards and touchdown passes in the NFL are Detroit's Jared Goff (10,594 passing yards and 81 touchdown passes) and Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield (10,083 and 81).

Goff and Mayfield have followed similar career paths, both being former No. 1 overall picks who were let go by the teams that drafted them only to thrive in new situations in Detroit and Tampa Bay. They have both been playing at an MVP-caliber level ahead of Monday's matchup at Ford Field on Monday Night Football.

"Yeah, he's a good friend. And a ton of respect for him," Goff said of Mayfield this week. "I think we both kind of - I don't want to speak for him but - can recognize that there's some dark days in that transition and coming out the other side of it for both of us. A lot of respect from my end for sure and I hope he'd say the same. But yeah, I'm a big fan of his and he's done a great job."

Mayfield does have a similar respect for Goff.

"I love Jared. Great guy," Mayfield told ESPN this week. "Like I have told you guys before from somebody that can relate to needing a fresh start somewhere else, it is good to see that story. Everybody loves a good underdog story or whatever it is, go through adversity, come out the other side stronger. That is life and that is what football can teach you."

Not only are Goff and Mayfield MVP candidates but Detroit (4-2) and Tampa Bay (5-1) are two of the best teams in the NFC and the quarterbacks have played huge factors in both franchises being consistent winners. The Bucs have won two straight NFC South titles with Mayfield under center in 2023 and 2024, while the Lions are looking for their third straight NFC North title this season with Goff at the helm.

Goff leads the NFL with 14 touchdown passes and ranks second among qualified passers with a 120.6 rating this season. Mayfield is tied for third in touchdown passes (12), sixth in passer rating (108.5) and has orchestrated four fourth quarter game-winning drives.

Goff has gotten the better of Mayfield two of the last three times they've met over the last two seasons, including a divisional playoff win in 2023. They have a ton of mutual respect for the other and the paths they've taken to make Monday night's game at Ford Field a powerhouse NFC showdown.

ST. BROWN VS. BUCS

Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is the first Lions receiver to post at least 40 receptions, 450 receiving yards and six touchdowns through the first six games of any season. He's currently tied for third in the NFL in receptions (44), sixth in receiving yards (452) and tied for first in receiving touchdowns (6).

Monday's matchup with the Bucs might be a great opportunity for St. Brown to significantly add to some or all of those totals. In his last three games vs. Tampa Bay, St. Brown has been targeted 47 times and has 31 receptions for 320 yards and two touchdowns.

"I don't know. I just feel like our coaches do a good job of getting a good gameplan for us," St. Brown said of his recent success against Tampa Bay. "They are a defense that blitzes a lot and gets after the quarterback. They have a lot of different coverages. It's hard to know what they're going to be in. We just have to be able to execute the plays that we have and be ready for un-scouted looks."

EXTRA POINT

Cornerback Terrion Arnold took part in the open portion of practice Friday after sitting out Thursday and missing last week's game in Kansas City with a shoulder injury. He was listed as a limited participant on Friday's practice report. Defensive lineman DJ Reader was also back at practice Friday and also limited after sitting out Thursday with a back injury.