SideLion Report
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First quarter grades for the disrespected Detroit Lions

By Michael Kirkland

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 29: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during the first quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Ford Field on September 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 29: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during the first quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Ford Field on September 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images
Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images /

Detroit Lions Linebackers

The linebacking unit needed an upgrade in the offseason due to mediocre play and a needed talent upgrade. The Lions drafted Jahlani Tavai in the second round to play inside and share some edge duties. Jarrad Davis worked hard to improve as a pass rusher and in pass coverage.

Other than that Devon Kennard, Christian Jones, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin all returned for year two of the Matt Patricia coaching era. So far, the defense as a whole is giving up 405.5 yards per game and that ranks twenty-ninth. Six of the team’s 9.0 sacks have come from the linebackers, led by Kennard with 3.0.

Kennard has probably been one of the couple most consistent players through four starts for Detroit as he always seems to be around the ball. Jarrad Davis just returned to the lineup after nursing a high ankle sprain he sustained during the preseason.

Grade: C, they help out the pass rush, tackle well, but don’t cover well and are partly responsible for the defenses struggles giving up yards. On the plus side, the Lions scoring defense is twentieth but within a point from the thirteenth place even after facing the most dangerous offense in the NFL.

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