Lions’ overwhelmed defensive line gets a failing grade against Broncos
Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett grades the Lions position by position in Sunday’s 38-10 loss to the Broncos
Quarterback
D+
Jared Goff had another mediocre day, completing 24 of 39 passes for 215 yards, though as with everything Sunday, his performance must be measured by the Lions’ weird week. Goff did miss an open Shane Zylstra on second-and-1 in the third quarter, and he overthrew Kalif Raymond on a deep ball two plays later. He said he’d like a redo on a third-down incompletion near the goal line, when he was caught between running and passing, and he made a poor throw on his interception.
Running backs
C+
Craig Reynolds is an NFL-caliber running back. Reynolds kept the Lions afloat in the first half. He showed great patience on a 35-yard run early in the second quarter and displayed excellent vision bouncing outside on several cutbacks. Godwin Igwebuike had a much rougher performance. He lost a key fumble on the second play of the third quarter and nearly had another turnover on the goal line.
Wide receivers/tight ends
D+
Amon-Ra St. Brown had another strong day, finishing with eight catches for 73 yards. He slipped a tackle on an 11-yard gain on the final play of the third quarter, and his chippy playing style seemed to frustrate Denver defenders. No other Lions receiver made a significant impact, though Brock Wright had a hand blocking in Reynolds’ strong rushing day.
D
Ryan McCollum had a rough go in his first career start. The rookie center gave up a sack on the opening series, when he was knocked off balance by Dre’Mont Jones. Mike Purcell beat Jonah Jackson to meet Reynolds in the backfield on the final play of the first quarter, but the line gave Reynolds a few nice holes to work with. Halapoulivaati Vaitai led the inside push on a third-and-1 pickup by Igwebuike, but he stepped on Goff’s foot, tripping the Lions quarterback on the goal line.
F
D
The Lions’ linebacking corps was almost unrecognizable Sunday after Alex Anzalone left with an early ankle injury. Josh Woods, who had played almost exclusively on special teams until last week, made a game-high 13 tackles and handled the defensive play calling responsibilities. Derrick Barnes is going through some rookie growing pains. Barnes got beat on a 32-yard pass to Noah Fant in the first quarter, three plays after he got dragged for extra yardage on a 9-yard Williams run.
C
Will Harris made a nice pass breakup on a sideline pass to Tim Patrick in the first half, and his coverage in the slot appeared to create the sack for McNeill and Charles Harris. The Lions lost starting cornerback Jerry Jacobs to a serious left knee injury on the opening series, but Dan Campbell said he was pleased with the play of Jacobs’ replacement, Nickell Robey-Coleman. Robey-Coleman did have one pass interference penalty.
B-
It was a relatively non-descript day as Jack Fox punted twice for a net of 46.5 yards and Riley Patterson made his only field goal attempt from 36 yards out. Kalif Raymond had no room to operate on his lone punt return, the Lions missed a tackle on Diontae Spencer on one of his returns, and Charles Harris was called for a unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a late extra point.
C
The Lions were playing against a stacked deck Sunday, and as much as Campbell did not want to use it as an excuse, the reality is they stood little chance of winning after losing six players to COVID-IR and with their two best offensive weapons injured. Campbell was aggressive in trying to extend possessions for his offense, including when the Lions quick-snapped on an early fourth-and-1 conversion. This wasn’t a game the Lions coaches will highlight on their resumes, but they were hardly to blame for the loss, either.
Offensive line
Defensive line
The Lions got pushed around up front defensively most of the game, starting with the opening series. Dalton Risner knocked Levi Onwuzurike sideways to give Melvin Gordon a crease for an early 13-yard run, and John Penisini got knocked off the ball on a 9-yard run by Gordon and Javonte Williams’ first touchdown. Rookie Alim McNeill and Charles Harris split a coverage sack in the first half. But the line had few other highlights.
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Coaching