The Denver Broncos ran almost at will against the Detroit Lions in Week 14. Denver rolled up 184 yards on the ground, averaging 4.7 yards per carry and picking up 14 first downs on the ground.
The injury-riddled Detroit defense just wasn’t up to the challenge of stopping Denver’s run offense. Melvin Gordon rambled for 111 yards, with Javonte Williams netting 73 more. The Pro Football Focus team grades from the game reflect just how poorly the dilapidated Detroit defense played — particularly the guys on the line.
Detroit scored its lowest game grades as a team in run defense at 33.3. And while the Broncos didn’t pass the ball for a lot of yards (174 net, 24 fewer than Jared Goff and the Lions), quarterback Teddy Bridgewater had little pressure when he dropped back. The Lions also notched their worst pass rush grade as a team (48.4) through the first 13 games.
Tackling (36.4) and overall defense (40.5) were also very close to the worst for the season, though the loss to Chicago in Week 4 represents the bottom in those two metrics.
Two rookies scored the lowest individual grades. Linebacker Derrick Barnes had a 25.7 overall score, while end Levi Onwuzurike managed a 29.9 grade. Safety Jalen Elliott contributed to the low tackling score, missing four tackles on his way to a 26.4 grade in tackling. Cornerback Amani Oruwariye, LB Charles Harris and DT Alim McNeill also notched tackling grades below 30.
Only one Lions defender, reserve safety C.J. Moore, topped 70 overall in PFF scores.