Lions vs. Seahawks: Full game preview by position
Tight Ends
Both of these teams’ tight end situation leaves much to be desired. Detroit uses a platoon of three tight ends: Luke Willson, Michael Roberts, and Levine Toilolo. Seattle is using the duo of Nick Vannett and Tyrone Swoopes. Like I said, much to be desired here on both sides.
Combined, the Lions’ tight ends have caught 13 passes for 119 yards and three touchdowns. If there is any hope for the Lions at this position it’s in the form of second-year tight end Roberts, who has caught all three of those touchdowns and 63 of those yards.
In the last two games Roberts has played he has caught four passes for three touchdowns, emerging as a red-zone threat; and if he can even keep up half that pace the Lions could receive a much-needed boost at the position.
Vannett has put up close to those combined numbers by himself with 12 receptions for 110 yards, but zero touchdowns. Swoopes has contributed one reception for 23 yards. Vannett is a bigger threat at tight end than any one of the Lions tight ends right now, despite not yet finding the end zone.
Both of these teams can’t count on much, if any, consistent production from this position. The Lions have the better red-zone threat, but the Seahawks have the better all-around tight end. This group comes to a draw.
Advantage: Neither