Detroit Lions 2019 final report cards: Defense and Special Teams

Special Teams

One of the strongest units on the team, the Lions’ special teams were led by an experienced group that helped keep the majority the Lions’ games close this year, despite their disappointing record. Along the way, some of its members hit some notable career milestones.

Placekicker Matt Prater had another fine season for the Lions, his fifth full campaign in Detroit. He hit 26 of his 31 field-goal attempts, including a stellar 7-8 from 50-plus yards. He continues to have one of the strongest legs in the league.

He became just the 33rd player to make 300 field goals, and also surpassed Lions legend Jason Hanson by hitting his 53rd career bomb from 50 or more, moving into second place all-time on that list behind only Sebastian Janikowski. He was brilliant in a one-point Week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers, hitting all five of his field-goal attempts.

Punter Sam Martin also enjoyed a solid season despite battling an ab injury, racking up a net punting average of 43.6 yards, sixth-best in the league. He dropped 31 punts inside the 20-yard line, also sixth-best. Martin will be a free agent for the first time this offseason and is no sure thing to return.

Another season, (his 16th in Detroit) another year of near-flawless long-snapping for Don Muhlbach. With 244 career games under his belt, all with the Lions, Muhlbach sits behind only Hanson on the Lions’ all-time games played list. He also moved into the NFL’s top-60 all-time in career games played. Muhlbach is also a free agent, and could move into the top-40 should he come back for another year. His return almost seems like a foregone conclusion.

Returner Jamal Agnew regained some of his explosiveness after a down 2018, returning both a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns this season. The kickoff went for 100 yards in a Week 3 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Lions ranked inside the top-11 in both punt and kickoff return average.

The Lions were not as successful stopping opposing returning teams, but their core unit of Dee Virgin, Logan Thomas, and C.J. Moore were solid all season, and all could reprise their roles next year.

Despite the unit’s overall decent play, John Bonamego was let go during the Lions recent position coaching purge, meaning they will have their fourth special teams coordinator in three seasons when 2020 begins.

Grade: B-

Do you agree with our report cards for the Detroit Lions’ defensive and special teams position groups? What grades would you give them? Let us know in the comments section below.