Detroit Lions Week 4 PFF Grades: Ihedigbo Shines in Debut

If you are not aware by now, Pro Football Focus is a website dedicated to grading NFL players’ individual performances based on in depth review of every snap of every game. If you’re interested, here is a look at their grading system.

Let’s take a quick look at what PFF had to say about the Detroit Lions and their victory over the New York Jets, shall we?

Offense

Best Grades:

Dominic Raiola: +3.3
Matthew Stafford: +1.7
Eric Ebron: +1.4
Golden Tate: +1.2
Jeremy Ross: +0.7

Worst Grades:

Larry Warford: -1.9
Reggie Bush: -1.5
Rob Sims: -1.4
Riley Reiff: -1.0
Jed Collins/Joique Bell: -0.9

Analysis:

It’s not very often that you see Larry Warford atop the Lions’ negative grades. He is easily the best offensive lineman on this team. Last year he was consistently powering his way up the field and opening massive holes for the run game. I’m a firm believer that as an offensive lineman, you are only as good as the people next to you. Warford has a lot on his plate with Garrett Reynolds struggling to his right, so I’m not entirely shocked that he’s regressed as a Sophomore.

Dominic Raiola was the only offensive lineman to earn a positive grade for the Lions, which is slightly concerning because he probably won’t be with the team next year.

The Lions couldn’t get LaAdrian Waddle back from injury any sooner, and they desperately need some cohesion on their line if they want to keep Stafford safe and get their run game going.

Reggie Bush and Joique Bell both received negative grades, but I think that goes hand in hand with the offensive line struggling. There’s really not a whole lot they could have done.

You have to tip your hat to Matthew Stafford who got the job done on the road against the second ranked defense in the NFL with his best receiver limited. Golden Tate did well stepping in for Calvin Johnson and the offense got out to an early lead and didn’t look back.

Eric Ebron and Jeremy Ross also made out pretty well and both received their first touchdown catches of the season.

Defense

Best Grades:

James Ihedigbo: +2.1
Ndamukong Suh: +1.4
Darryl Tapp: +1.4
Ashlee Palmer: +0.9
Jason Jones: +0.7

Worst Grades:

George Johnson: -2.9
Ezekiel Ansah: -2.4
Caraun Reid: -2.1
DeAndre Levy: -1.8
Nick Fairley: -1.4

Analysis:

James Ihedigbo made his season debut for the Lions and couldn’t have asked for a better performance at the strong safety position. He made a huge play late in the game causing a sack/fumble on Geno Smith.

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With the First Pick

Ndamukong Suh continued to be Ndamukong Suh despite all of the rumors looming over his head, and Nick Fairley continued to show some inconsistency along with taking a breather or two on a couple of long defensive drives.

George Johnson and Ezekiel Ansah generated absolutely nothing on passing downs and both continue to struggle at defensive end for the Lions this year.

Ashlee Palmer took over the strongside linebacker position with Tahir Whitehead taking over for Stephen Tulloch and managed to receive a positive grade despite not recording a single statistic against the Jets. I guess doing absolutely nothing is better than making mistakes and hurting your team.