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If you're not aware by now, Pro Football Focus is a website that focuses on grading NFL players for their individual performances based on an in-depth review of every snap for every game. If you're interested, here is a look at their grading system.
Sunday's Lions vs. Bears game was a matchup between two terrible, horrible, no good, very bad teams. And the actual product was even worse to watch on TV. These two teams deserve each other. But hey, the Lions won, and that's all that matters. So let's take a closer look at the individual performances from Sunday's win.
Offense
Best Grades
Laken Tomlinson: +3.9
Michael Burton: +2.7
Calvin Johnson: +2.6
Larry Warford: +2.3
Lance Moore: +2.2
Riley Reiff: +1.9
Theo Riddick: +1.5
Golden Tate: +1.2
Worst Grades
Timothy Wright: -4.2
LaAdrian Waddle: -3.3
Travis Swanson: -2.4
Cornelius Lucas: -2.0
Analysis
Given all the bad publicity and criticism the Lions' offensive line has endured throughout the regular season, it was a breath of fresh air to see them succeed in the run game, even if it was the Bears. As a team, the Lions totaled 155 yards rushing for 4.8 yards per carry. Their previous high on the year was 69 rushing yards vs. the San Diego Chargers.
Laken Tomlinson was given the nod to start over Manny Ramirez and made the most of his opportunity, to say the least.
#Lions @PFF grades: Warford/Tomlinson both ranked among @NFL's top 10 guards, Burton was top FB, Martin was top specialist in Week 6.
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 19, 2015
Tomlinson (-5.5) and Warford (-1.7) are still overall negatives on the year, but it's nice to see a little improvement out of your two young guards.
Remember when there was some discussion of whether Calvin Johnson is "Megatron" anymore? Let's forget that ever happened. Megatron was his old self against the Bears once the offense finally decided it was a good idea to throw it deep his way. He made a few contested grabs on key situations, and ultimately set up the game winning field goal in overtime. HE'S BACK, Y'ALL.
Not everyone on offense had a great day. Tim Wright continues to struggle as the only tight end for the Lions and LaAdrian Waddle is having a terribly rough year coming back from an injury.
But give all the credit to this team for overcoming the odds. They battled. They persevered. They never gave up. It was all about hustle, loyalty and respect. There's one man that lives by this code...
Defense
Best Grades
Ezekiel Ansah: +2.4
Stephen Tulloch: +2.3
Rashean Mathis: +2.1
Darius Slay: +1.9
Andre Fluellen: +1.4
Glover Quin: +1.2
Worst Grades
Isa Abdul-Quddus: -4.1
Josh Bynes: -1.4
Caraun Reid: -1.1
Jermelle Cudjo: -1.1
Analysis
I know Abdul-Quddus got a high negative grade for his performance, but I'm still in awe of his first down run on a punt fake that was called by him and not the head coach. That's pretty damn cool. He gets a +100 in my grading system.
Ansah continues to be a stud, but this time he was praised for his pass rushing, rather than his run defense. He accounted for seven total pressures and earned a +5.1 pass rush grade. That is very promising for a guy who's struggled to muster up hardly any pressure this year. He now has the sixth-highest grade (+8.1) among all 4-3 defensive ends on the season.
Slay continues to get criticized this year, but he actually played a pretty solid game against the Bears. He was targeted six times and only gave up a couple of catches. He also deflected a pair of passes and gave up just a 50.7 QB Rating on passes thrown his way.
Oh and don't forget, everybody, it's Flu Season.
Special Teams
Best Grades
Sam Martin: +6.2
Worst Grades
TJ Jones: -1.5
Analysis
The return unit was awful for the Lions. TJ Jones and Corey Fuller both coughed the ball up on punt returns, which kept Chicago in the game. Martin did a wonderful job and had arguably his best punting performance of the season. I know everyone on this site wants to talk about punting, so I pose this question to you: What was your favorite punting moment from this past weekend? Discuss below.