Grading the 2014 Detroit Lions: Taking A Closer Look At the Offense

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) catches a pass ahead of the defense by ]d38 during the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Of all the areas the Detroit Lions were expected to struggle during the 2014 season, the offensive side of the ball certainly was not one. With Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush, Golden Tate and a trio of top tight ends, there was more than enough weaponry for rocket-armed Matthew Stafford to make plenty of noise.

Instead, it was Detroit’s offense that fell quiet most consistently during the season. It wasn’t that Stafford made big mistakes, but the Lions showed an inability to sustain drives and put points on the board, which was a strange departure from the norm. The team struggled under first-year coordinator Joe Lombardi, and never completely hit a stride at any point.

Today is report card time for all of the major offensive playmakers and the line as a whole. Who excelled, passed and failed? The marking period is over, and the grades are in.