While the Detroit Lions entered this game with slim hopes for the postseason, they let their final opportunity slip through their fingers with self-inflicted mistakes (six turnovers) and another ineffective game plan. Let’s take a look at how the Lions adapted their approach to their rematch with the Minnesota Vikings.
Quarterbacks:
- Jared Goff: 64 snaps (100%)
- Kyle Allen: 0 (0%)
After being efficient with the football all season, Goff accounted for five of the Lions’ six turnovers on the day. While you can argue he wasn’t at fault in several of the mistakes,
there were clear chemistry issues between him and the rest of the offense. In general, Goff’s been very good this season and one of the Lions’ best players, but this was arguably his worst performance of the year.
Running backs:
- Jahmyr Gibbs: 44 (69%)
- David Montgomery: 22 (34%)
- Sione Vaki: 0 (0%) — 19 special teams snaps (73%)
- Jacob Saylors: 0 (0%) — 19 (73%)
With the Lions’ game plan calling for adaptability, they once again leaned on Gibbs at a higher rate than normal as they constantly looked for answers on offense. Montgomery was more involved in the run game, but he struggled more than he has in recent weeks, a theme for the entire offense on the day.
Wide receivers:
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: 53 (83%)
- Jameson Williams: 53 (83%)
- Isaac TeSlaa: 33 (52%)
- Kalif Raymond: 6 (9%) — 7 (27%)
- Tom Kennedy: 0 (0%) — 9 (35%)
- Dominic Lovett: Inactive
St. Brown was the Lions’ best offensive weapon, per usual, but TeSlaa also stepped up his game, as Goff struggled to get Williams the ball due to his route concepts being further down the field. Overall, the wide receivers’ usage took a step back in this game as the Lions’ offense needed to adjust to the Vikings’ pass rush. As a result, we saw the Lions use their tight ends significantly more in an attempt to give Goff time in the pocket.
Tight ends:
- Shane Zylstra: 42 (66%) — 11 (42%)
- Anthony Firkser: 35 (55%) — 13 (50%)
- Giovanni Ricci: 32 (50%) — 8 (31%)
Choosing to lean on three tight ends over 50% of the time in order to slow down an aggressive pass rush matches traditional methods. However, when at least two of the three tight ends you’re needing to lean on are practice-squad level at best—resulting in your more talented skill players staying on the bench—it’s not surprising that the offense failed to move the football with any consistency.
Offensive line:
- Tate Ratledge: 64 (100%) — 2 (8%)
- Christian Mahogany: 64 (100%) — 2 (8%)
- Dan Skipper: 64 (100%) — 2 (8%)
- Kingsley Eguakun: 64 (100%)
- Penei Sewell: 58 (91%)
- Kayode Awosika: 6 (9%) — 2 (8%)
- Graham Glasgow: 0 (0%) — 2 (8%)
- Miles Frazier: 0 (0%) — 2 (8%)
- Taylor Decker: Inactive (injury)
- Trystan Colon: Inactive (injury)
- Michael Niese: Inactive
Decker was unexpectedly ruled out of this game after illness prevented him from playing, Sewell missed a half-dozen snaps due to injury (and looked noticeably uncomfortable upon return), and Glasgow was benched, making way for second-year center Eguakun to get his second consecutive start. While coach Dan Campbell said Glasgow was healthy enough to contribute as a backup, but not a starter, that sounds more like coach-speak to protect a veteran who has put it on the line for the team this season.
The moving parts created instability throughout the offensive line and resulted in 13 pressures (per Next Gen Stats), five sacks, and directly contributed to five turnovers—two poor snaps leading to fumbles, a sack fumble, and pressure leading to two interceptions. They also got very little push up front in the run game, turning 30 rushing attempts into just 68 yards (2.3 per carry) and averaging a disastrous -0.82 yards before contact.
Defensive end:
- Aidan Hutchinson: 52 (96%)
- Marcus Davenport: 37 (69%) — 5 (19%)
- Al-Quadin Muhammad: 17 (31%)
- Tyrus Wheat: 0 (0%) — 14 (54%)
- Tyler Lacy: Inactive
The Lions made an effort to open up their pass rush more this week, and they managed to generate 15 pressures and seven sacks on 23 dropbacks. Hutchinson accounted for two sacks and four pressures, while Davenport managed two pressures of his own.
However, Muhammad led the team with six pressures and two sacks, and he did this while only rushing the passer on 12 of his 17 snaps. Folks, that’s an insane 50% pressure rate, which begs the question: why is Muhammad only playing on 12 pass rushing snaps?
Defensive tackle:
- Roy Lopez: 32 (59%) — 5 (19%)
- DJ Reader: 31 (57%) — 4 (15%)
- Alim McNeill: 14 (26%) — 1 (4%) — injured (abdomen)
- Tyleik Williams: 23 (43%)
- Mekhi Wingo: Inactive
McNeill showed up on this week’s injury report with an abdominal injury and was given a questionable designation ahead of the game. While he got the start, it wasn’t long before he reaggravated his injury and was forced from the game. The Lions increased the opportunities for Lopez and Williams, with the veteran getting a few extra opportunities.
Linebacker:
- Jack Campbell: 54 (100%) — 3 (12%)
- Alex Anzalone: 31 (57%) — Injured (concussion)
- Derrick Barnes: 53 (98%) — 6 (23%)
- Malcolm Rodriguez: 19 (35%) — 24 (92%)
- Trevor Nowaske: 3 (6%) — 24 (92%)
- Grant Stuard: 0 (0%) — 24 (92%)
Anzalone was ruled out following a second-half concussion examination, resulting in the Lions increasing the opportunities for Barnes and Rodriguez. Campbell and Barnes stayed on the field in two-linebacker sets, while Rodriguez was close to a one-to-one replacement at WILL for Anzalone. Nowaske saw some situational work, while Stuard was limited to special teams.
Cornerback:
- Rock Ya-Sin: 53 (98%) — 5 (19%)
- D.J. Reed: 53 (98%)
- Amik Robertson: 18 (33%)
- Arthur Maulet: 1 (2%) — 8 (31%)
- Khalil Dorsey: 0 (0%) — 18 (69%)
- Nick Whiteside: 0 (0%) — 8 (31%)
With Robertson dealing with a hand injury, he was once again relegated to nickel-only assignments, opening up the opportunity for Ya-Sin to lead the cornerbacks group for the third week in a row.
Safety:
- Daniel Thomas: 51 (94%) — 15 (58%)
- Jalen Mills: 38 (70%) — 9 (35%)
- Thomas Harper: 14 (26%) — Injured (concussion)
- Avonte Maddox: Inactive (injured)
The safety position has been through the wringer this season, and for a team that puts a ton of responsibilities on the position, the results have been brutal.
With Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch on injured reserve, the Lions turned to Harper and Maddox to start, but Maddox couldn’t make it to the game (back injury and illness), and Harper was concussed (his second concussion in a month), leaving the Lions in a tough spot. The next man up this season has been Erick Hallett, but he was poached off the practice squad by the Titans, leaving the Lions with their sixth and seventh options at the position. Thomas, who is primarily a special teamer, was called upon to start, while Mills saw his first defensive snaps since Week 12 of 2024.
Specialists:
- Jake Bates: 5 (19%)
- Jack Fox: 5 (19%)
- Hogan Hatten: 5 (19%)
Minimal work for this group this week.
