SideLion Report
FanSided

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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Lions secondary
(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Detroit Lions Defensive Backs

There were some very real concerns about the unit after Glover Quin left and regarding who would play opposite Pro Bowler Darius Slay at cornerback. Would Tracy Walker, Quandre Diggs, Slay, and some new blood be able to improve upon a shaky situation in the back end of the defense?

The answer seems to be that the unit is a capable unit that is asked to man cover opposing players the second most in the NFL and they hold up well. Justin Coleman, Rashaan Melvin, Mike Ford, Tavon Wilson, and Will Harris have been the primary players behind Slay, Walker, and Diggs with Diggs and Slay missing time.

Grade: B, the depth looks better than we’ve had in years. Melvin and Coleman have been better two and three options than anyone who has lined up next to Slay, plus Walker, Diggs, Wilson, and Harris have all been adequate or better. They have generated turnovers and continue to look for more opportunities to liberate the football from opponents.

Detroit Lions Special Teams

To start the season the Detroit Lions miss field goals, fumbled punts, and received penalties on almost every special teams play they took part in. The special teams rallied and returned a kickoff for a touchdown and have largely avoided those dumb penalties more recently. Placekicker Matt Prater has hit all but two of his attempts and punter Sam Martin has averaged 42.4 yards on every punt.

Grade: C-, despite cleaning things up after a few games the unit was atrocious for the better part of three games. Prater and Martin make the unit passable.

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