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The Detroit Lions looked better on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. It obviously wasn’t good enough, but it provided some optimism heading into Week 3’s game against the New England Patriots.
Pro Football Focus released the top performers for the Lions this week, and there’s a good mix of surprising names and not-so-surprising names. First, the offense:
The Week 2 Grades have now been finalized...
— PFF DET Lions (@PFF_Lions) September 18, 2018
Here are the Top Graded Lions Offensive Players from Week 2 (min 10 snaps)
1. WR - Kenny Golladay, 77.2
2. T- Ricky Wagner, 74.9
3. RB - LeGarrette Blount, 73.8
4. QB - Matthew Stafford, 69.4
5. G - Kenny Wiggins, 67.1
No surprise seeing Kenny Golladay atop their list. According to PFF, Golladay has the fourth highest grade among all wide receivers between 10-19 yards downfield (minimum five targets).
It’s a pleasant surprise to see Kenny Wiggins with a solid grade, seeing as he had such a poor preseason and was up against a solid 49ers defensive line. It gives some hope that the Lions offensive line could be okay if T.J. Lang continues to miss time.
On the other end of the spectrum, rookie guard Frank Ragnow continues to struggle. According to PFF, he allowed seven pressures and a sack, resulting in an awful 17.2 pass blocking grade.
Top Graded Week 2 Lions Defensive Players (min 10 snaps):
— PFF DET Lions (@PFF_Lions) September 18, 2018
1. S - Tracy Walker, 96.4
2. DI - A'Shawn Robinson, 86.0
3. DI - Da'Shawn Hand, 78.7
4. CB - Jamal Agnew, 70.4
5. ED - Devon Kennard, 70.3
Seeing third-round pick Tracy Walker atop the list has got to feel good for Lions fans, who were overwhelmingly skeptical of that draft pick. However, he only played 10 snaps on Sunday, so let’s not jump to conclusions quite yet.
A’Shawn Robinson seems to have adjusted nicely to his Week 1 benching, earning the top grade of any defensive lineman on the team. Meanwhile, Da’Shawn Hand continues to impress in his rookie year. Both former Alabama products combined for six run stops and three quarterback pressures on Sunday, per PFF.
- Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press brings up an interesting point regarding Darius Slay, who is recovering from a concussion suffered on Sunday:
On Darius Slay watch (with Josh Gordon coming to town): The Lions had 6 players suffer concussions in the regular season last year. 5 missed games, and the only one who didn't - Glover Quin - got his brain injury before the bye week https://t.co/n8hNFZO6SU via @freep
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 18, 2018
- The NFL has determined that the holding penalty called on Quandre Diggs that negated a potential game-winning interception was indeed the right call.
- The Lions made a minor transaction on Tuesday and now have an open spot on their roster:
The #Lions have waived OL Jamil Demby and released S Marcus Cromartie from Reserve-Injured.
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 18, 2018
And here are some of the players they worked out this week:
#Lions worked out DE/OLB David Bass, FBs Alan Ripkowski, Jay Prosch, Jalston Fowler, and DE/OLB John Simon.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) September 18, 2018
Note: it’s actually Aaron Ripkowski, not Alan.
- The Sporting News thinks the Lions have literally a zero percent chance of making the playoffs after their 0-2 start.
- Chris Spielman again joined Mike O’Hara of DetroitLions.com to discuss three big plays from Sunday’s game:
Breaking down #DETvsSF. @UniFirst_Corp
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 17, 2018
It's 3 & Out with @chris_spielman. pic.twitter.com/tWi03LNiCK