flag
back Back
Detroit Lions PFF grades: Top 5 on offense, defense vs. Dolphins

The Detroit Lions leaned on their defense to pull out a 19-9 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 9, extending their win streak to four games. Despite another inconsistent offensive performance, several Lions notched impressive grades from Pro Football Focus.

Penei Sewell led the offense, while Aidan Hutchinson fueled a defensive effort that kept Miami out of the end zone. Detroit entered the game as the NFL's top-ranked offense but were held to a season-low 270 total yards. Jared Goff failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time this season and has now thrown an interception in back-to-back games after starting the campaign with 14 touchdowns and zero picks.

The Lions' defensive front covered up for the lack of firepower on offense, holding the Dolphins to 3.7 yards per carry and netting five tackles for loss. The Lions are one of only 11 teams across the league holding opponents under 100 yards on the ground. In their six wins this year, opponents are generating just 70.8 rushing yards per game.

Here's a look at Detroit's five highest-graded players on each side of the ball:

Top 5 offensive PFF grades

  1. Penei Sewell, OT: 83.6

  2. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR: 78.3

  3. Jared Goff, QB: 73.8

  4. Juice Scruggs, C: 66.9

  5. Blake Miller, OT: 66.6

Sewell continues to deliver as the foundational pillar of this Lions offensive line, earning Detroit's highest overall grade. Though the Lions' offensive production was underwhelming, three linemen cracked the top five. St. Brown provided a reliable target in the passing game, leading all receivers with eight receptions for 86 yards. Goff's lone interception was the result of a tipped pass in the first quarter but overall he continued to be relatively efficient, completing 68% of his passes.

Top 5 defensive PFF grades

  1. Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE: 79.5

  2. Tyleik Williams, DT: 78.0

  3. Rock Ya-Sin, CB: 77.3

  4. Alim McNeill, DT: 75.2

  5. Derrick Moore, EDGE: 71.7

The Lions' defensive front accounted for four of the team's five highest grades. Aidan Hutchinson led the way, while Williams and McNeill provided a dominant performance on the interior. Moore's inclusion further demonstrates the depth Brad Holmes has assembled within the unit.

Ya-Sin was the only defensive back to crack the top five. Collectively, Kelvin Sheppard's group held the Malik Willis-led Dolphins offense to 4.6 yards per play. The resurgence has helped to cover up for an offense that has regressed over the last four weeks.

Hutchinson and McNeill have combined for 84 combined quarterback pressures. Hutchinson leads the NFL with 50 and McNeill ranks No. 12 with 34. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are the only other set of teammates in the league in the top 12 in total pressures.

You may like

Lions' Jared Goff tumbles in CBS Sports Week 10 QB rankings

aol.com 1 hour ago

Five Key Things to Know About Bills vs. Jets in Week 10

si.com 3 hours ago

Commanders Beat Giants, Still Trail Cowboys by Half a Game

si.com 53 minutes ago

Colorado football report card, grades from 42-32 win over Houston

aol.com 1 hour ago

Ex-Colts Pro-Bowler leads high school alma mater to first playoff win in three decades

aol.com 1 hour ago

Top 4 Reasons The Chargers Could Upset The Ravens Monday Night

si.com 4 hours ago

Brown throws 3 TD passes to lead Incarnate Word over Nicholls 42-24

abcnews.com 4 hours ago

Jake Bates completes Lions NFC Special Teams Player of the Week 3-peat

aol.com 1 hour ago

Florida stuns Kentucky 21-14 as Gators pull off yet another upset win in up-and-down season

foxnews.com 1 hour ago

UNC football report card vs Louisville: Grading Tar Heels loss vs Cardinals

aol.com 1 hour ago