Befitting a blowout loss, the Detroit Lions’ grades from Pro Football Focus for Week 16 against Carolina are lumps of coal in the stocking.
The individual grades were not pretty, but the PFF overall team grades were also (deservingly) low. Detroit’s defense recorded its worst coverage grade of the season at 34.7, the first time all season the Lions have been below 40. The tackling grade of 42.9 was the second-worst; only the 28.8 against the Bears in Week 10 was worse. PFF logged 13 missed tackles by the Lions and 52 total tackles, creating a missed tackle rate of 25 percent. The overall defense grade of 40.9 was the second-worst of the season and the first time below a 58.0 mark since Week 10.
The offense fared little better. Detroit’s run grade of 41.9 was its worst by almost 20 points. The previous low was a 58.0 grade against Dallas. Detroit’s run blocking grade of 48.9 was the second-worst to the Buffalo game on Thanksgiving. The Lions’ overall team grade of 59.4 was its third-worst of the season, trailing Minnesota in Week 3 and Philadelphia in Week 1.
On an individual level, the tight ends thrived on offense and a couple of youngsters scored well in limited duty.
Top offensive grades
TE James Mitchell – 88.5
TE Shane Zylstra – 82.9
QB Jared Goff – 78.6
WR Kalif Raymond – 72.3
WR DJ Chark – 71.9
Bottom offensive grades
Jonah Jackson – 46.4
Evan Brown – 46.4
Frank Ragnow – 49.3
Jamaal Williams – 50.0
Garrett Griffin – 51.0 (in 10 snaps)
Top defensive grades
James Houston – 87.0 (14 snaps)
Derrick Barnes – 80.7
Benito Jones – 68.8 (10 snaps)
John Cominsky – 60.5
Mike Hughes – 60.2
Bottom defensive grades
Alex Anzalone – 29.9, handily his worst grade of the season after scoring 71.5 or higher in the previous three
Josh Paschal – 33.4 (13 snaps)
Ifeatu Melifonwu – 35.6
Malcolm Rodriguez – 43.1
Will Harris – 43.3
Reserve LB Chris Board logged a 25.5 but only played seven snaps.
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