Week 13 Report Card for Detroit Lions: Defense Shows Modest Progress Against Saints
In the recent matchup between the Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints, the Lions defense exhibited slight improvements, although significant issues persisted in the secondary.
As the game unfolded, the Lions initially built a substantial 21-point lead over the Saints. However, challenges emerged in the second half as the defense struggled to contain the Saints, resulting in a closely contested game that felt closer than it should have been.
Taking a comprehensive view of the entire game, there were positive signs of progress on both offensive and defensive fronts, with a focus on defensive advancements. Let’s delve into the weekly report card for the Detroit Lions.
Oh, hey @BIrvin_WVU11!#DETvsNO |📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/uzS9v022jN
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 3, 2023
Quarterback: B+ Jared Goff faced early challenges, missing some reads and throws. However, he demonstrated resilience in crucial moments, making impactful plays, especially in managing the pocket under pressure. Goff also effectively addressed his turnover issues, showcasing improved ball control against the opportunistic Saints defense.
Running Backs: C David Montgomery faced a challenging day, marked by critical drops and difficulties reading the field. Despite a lackluster performance, Jamaal Gibbs remained a notable asset, displaying a stunning 36-yard run. Disappointingly, both running backs were underutilized in the receiving game.
Tight Ends: A+ Sam LaPorta delivered an outstanding performance, setting a franchise record for rookie tight ends with 140 receiving yards. LaPorta emerged as a reliable target for Goff, contributing significantly to critical plays. Even Brock Wright made a commendable 8-yard catch in the game.
Wide Receivers: B Though Jameson Williams, Josh Reynolds, and Amon-Ra St. Brown had limited receptions and yardage, each made impactful plays, showcasing their abilities in crucial moments. The group collectively contributed to key plays, with Williams’ reverse touchdown run and St. Brown’s strong individual effort standing out.
Offensive Line: C+ Despite a solid rushing performance, the offensive line faced challenges in maintaining control during critical moments, particularly when attempting to secure the lead. The loss of center Frank Ragnow to injury necessitated adjustments, with rookie Colby Sorsdal finding his footing after early struggles. Pass protection, however, remained mostly solid.
Defensive Line: B The Lions’ run defense remained robust, leading to numerous third-and-long situations for the Saints. The pass rush exhibited mild improvement, with sacks from Bruce Irvin and Romeo Okwara and effective contributions from the entire defensive front.
Linebacker: B- Jalen Reeves-Maybin, filling in for the absent Alex Anzalone, performed well, contributing tackles, a QB hit, and a pass defended. Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes also had promising efforts, but the linebackers struggled in coverage, allowing significant yardage over the middle in the latter part of the game.
Secondary: D- While Brian Branch secured an impressive interception and Cameron Sutton had a bounce-back game, the overall performance of the secondary was lacking. Jerry Jacobs struggled in coverage, and the safeties were liabilities, allowing significant passing yards after an initial interception.
Special Teams: B+ With one penalty affecting field position, the specialists, led by Riley Patterson, had a solid day. Patterson went five-for-five on kicks, and the coverage units limited the Saints in both kick and punt returns.
Coaching: C- Dan Campbell’s decision-making at the end of the game showcased trust in the offense, but overall, the team’s handling of a significant lead was uninspiring. Offensive playcalling became overly conservative, particularly in critical situations where more aggressive strategies could have capitalized on the team’s talented receiving corps. Situational play-calling, especially in the red zone, left room for improvement.
Leave a Reply