Detroit Lions NFL grades against New York Giants Dan Campbell

In what was the most effective efficiency of the Dan Campbell period, the Detroit Lions received their third straight recreation. The newest within the streak came to visit the New York Giants, a 31-18 triumph that featured dominant performances on the defensive facet of the ball.

The Lions will attempt to carry the momentum right into a Thanksgiving showdown with the mighty Buffalo Payments. The final time Detroit received three straight video games got here in 2017, which was the crew’s final profitable season.

Listed below are the grades for every place group, primarily based on their respective performances in Sunday’s recreation. 

Quarterback: C+

Jared Goff was turnover-free for the second straight recreation, which paid dividends. Whereas the Lions generated two takeaways, the quarterback was sound in his decision-making, and took care of the ball.

Goff didn’t make many huge performs, as his longest completion was a 32-yard toss to Amon-Ra St. Brown. But, the veteran signal-caller didn’t should make waves, given the defensive efficiency and consistency of the run recreation.

Goff was practically picked off within the third quarter, when he threw behind Tom Kennedy into double protection. Nonetheless, a lucky bounce off the palms of a defender stored the drive alive. The play got here after Detroit recorded a takeaway of its personal. So, the bounce prevented what may’ve been a momentum-changing play.

Working backs: B

Jamaal Williams remained the crew’s high choice within the backfield regardless of D’Andre Swift’s improved well being. The BYU product delivered with one other huge day, as he recorded his first profession three-touchdown recreation.

The main rusher on the day was neither participant, nonetheless. Justin Jackson, who started the season shifting between the energetic roster and the observe squad, delivered a game-high 66 speeding yards on 9 carries.

Jackson, the crew’s third string again in Craig Reynolds’ absence, confirmed toughness and physicality in his operating. Although he was the one of the three backs to achieve the tip zone, he delivered a top quality efficiency.

Fullback Jason Cabinda dropped each of his targets, together with one approaching a well-designed wheel route during which he was huge open.

Tight ends: B-

Brock Wright made two catches for 20 yards, whereas James Mitchell didn’t file a goal. Wright practically reached paydirt within the second quarter, taking a brief cross to the 1-yard-line to arrange Williams’ second rating.

Each he and Mitchell have been used considerably within the run recreation and did a strong job establishing run lanes for the operating backs. Cabinda additionally labored in a good end-type position as a blocker.

Large receivers: C+

Amon-Ra St. Brown had one other team-best day with seven catches and 75 yards. Moreover, he carried the ball as soon as for 4 yards. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson continued to deploy St. Brown and Kalif Raymond in distinctive methods.

Raymond and Tom Kennedy have been the one different receivers who recorded catches. For Raymond, it was a three-catch, 33-yard efficiency. In the meantime, Kennedy had one catch for 13 yards.

DJ Chark returned to motion from injured reserve however didn’t make an impression. He had only one goal, a protracted cross that was practically intercepted.

Offensive line: B+

Goff was stored on his toes all afternoon lengthy, whereas Detroit averaged 4.3 yards per stick with it the bottom.

Penei Sewell was penalized twice, together with an illegal-block penalty dedicated within the crimson zone. Nonetheless, the second-year sort out was spectacular in his downfield blocking on different display screen passes.

Jonah Jackson was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct within the first half, as properly, when he landed a shot after the whistle.

Frank Ragnow was energetic after lacking time through the week with an damage. He carried out properly in the course of the Lions’ line, which had a robust afternoon, except for the penalties.

Defensive position: A

The Lions carried out admirably in opposition to New York star operating again Saquon Barkley. Averaging over 100 yards per recreation getting into Sunday, Barkley was held to a season-low 22 yards (on 15 carries).

Aidan Hutchinson, John Cominsky and Alim McNeill every performed key roles on this effort. McNeill and Cominsky mixed for 5 tackles for loss, with each recording a solo sack.

Hutchinson, in the meantime, picked off a cross for the second time in three weeks, and likewise fell on a fumble. Going through Daniel Jones, a quarterback who had restricted his errors all through the season, Detroit introduced strain, and created three turnovers.

Linebackers: B-

Malcolm Rodriguez returned to motion after lacking final week’s recreation and began alongside Alex Anzalone. Derrick Barnes and Chris Board additionally contributed in sure conditions.

Detroit’s linebackers struggled in protection, as New York made a dwelling with brief passing routes early within the recreation. Moreover, Barkley made an impression with two catches for 16 yards. The Giants focused Rodriguez with a brief cross to Barkley instantly.

Whereas the struggles within the passing recreation have been evident, the linebackers carried out properly in opposition to the run. Serving to within the effort to decelerate Barkley, Anzalone completed with 5 tackles whereas Rodriguez had 4.

Secondary: B-

Kerby Joseph continued his ball-hawking methods together with his third interception in as many weeks. Moreover, Will Harris had a hand in a turnover as he pressured the fourth quarter fumble that Hutchinson recovered.

Detroit’s depth was examined, as Jeff Okudah entered concussion protocol through the first half and didn’t return. In his absence, Harris, Amani Oruwariye and Jerry Jacobs took the accessible reps.

Jacobs made a formidable play on a crossing route run by Wan’Dale Robinson, but in addition gave up a protracted completion to Isaiah Hodgins.

Oruwariye, who was penalized six instances earlier within the season in opposition to Minnesota, was known as for defensive holding within the fourth quarter.

Robinson led the Giants with 100 receiving yards on 9 catches, whereas Darius Slayton completed with 85 yards. Detroit’s depleted secondary held up, bending however not breaking. However, it is going to be examined much more come Thursday, if Okudah will not be in a position to return.

Particular groups: A-

Jack Fox averaged 48.2 yards per punt on 5 makes an attempt, touchdown one contained in the 20. He had one touchback however boomed a 63-yarder that flipped the sphere within the second quarter.

Michael Badgley proved his value Sunday by nailing all of his further level makes an attempt in addition to a 24-yard discipline objective. On the opposite facet, Giants kicker Graham Gano missed each of his point-after makes an attempt.

Justin Jackson totaled 62 yards on two kick return makes an attempt, one in all which was a 36-yard scamper to open the second half.

Teaching: A

Sunday proved to be one in all Campbell’s finest teaching efforts. He was calculated in his decision-making, beginning together with his resolution to take the factors on Detroit’s first possession, fairly than try a brief fourth-down strive.

The Lions by no means pressured the problem Sunday. As an alternative, the coaches reacted properly to the conditions round them. 

Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson continued his roll, with one other properly drawn-up gameplan that attacked the inside of the Giants’ protection.

On the flip facet, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn created a scheme that funneled Barkley to the sides, the place defensive ends have been ready to make performs. The Penn State product hardly ever had room to run, as Detroit bought the most effective efforts from gamers like Cominsky and McNeill.

It’s unsure how lengthy this good mojo will final for the Lions, however Campbell and his teaching workers are studying how you can constantly win. The crew has now received three video games in a row, and its means to complete with touchdowns in every of the final two quarters has demonstrated a brand new confidence.

Detroit will likely be examined Thursday in opposition to the Payments. Its efficiency on Thanksgiving must be used as a measuring stick, as to the steadiness of its success for the rest of the 2022 season.