Lions Week 7 Report Card: Detroit throws everything at the Rams, but falls short
By Zach Payne
Defense- 3.5/5 Stars
If you told me the Lions’ defense would hold one of the best offenses in the league to under 30 points, I would have been shocked. I expected Stafford to have the game of his life, and he did top 300 yards with three touchdowns through the air.
But all things considered, this was a very gritty effort from Aaron Glenn’s unit again. They gave the offense a chance to win, and that’s all you could have hoped for.
While the Rams passing attack predictably had a good game, the Lions’ run defense was stout, allowing just 47 yards and 2.5 yards per carry.
Outside linebacker Julian Okwara had a great game, with a sack and a pass breakup on a fourth-and-one to turn the ball over on downs.
Safety Tracy Walker also shined again. When he hits someone, you can see the wind knocked out of their sails. It’s been really fun to watch him play this season.
Best defensive player: CB Jerry Jacobs
Jacobs wasn’t perfect, he gave up some catches including the Rams’ first touchdown. He also had a questionable defensive pass interference call, but he played really well.
Something I love about Jacobs is his attitude. He has absolutely no fear and he tries to make a play every single snap.
He had a couple of big plays, both in coverage and in run support, including a big tackle for loss. He’s not a perfect player, but he has played about as well as you could ask an undrafted free agent rookie to perform in his second career start.
Worst defensive player: CB Daryl Worley
Through no fault of his own, Worley was forced into action after an injury to AJ Parker. And it went exactly as everyone expected.
Daryl Worley on Cooper Kupp is a mismatch. But with Okudah, Melifonwu and Parker all injured, Detroit has no choice but to put him out there. And Matthew Stafford just exploited it, connecting with Kupp on a 59-yard pass on third-and-12 and then a 5-yard TD, both against Worley
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) October 24, 2021
In a perfect world, Worley would never be called upon to cover one of the top receivers in the league this season. But as Lions fans know, this is far from a perfect world.
Special Teams- 5/5 Stars
I mean good grief we have three special teams’ highlights and none of them are Jack Fox punts.
First, we have an onside kick recovery after D’Andre Swift opened the scoring:
Onside kick right after the #Lions opening drive touchdown.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 24, 2021
Dan Campbell doesn't give an F as he's chasing his first ever win.pic.twitter.com/SoafeKJHTW
Then, we have two fake punts that resulted in first downs to extend drives:
FAKE PUNT.. MCDC throwing everything he’s got at the Rams pic.twitter.com/25MyPNjyfD
— Hammer DAHN (@HammerDAHN) October 24, 2021
TRICKERY!
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 24, 2021
Another fake punt for the Lions!!
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/BVmiEViuaL
The coaching staff knew they would need to dig into their bag of tricks, and the special teams delivered every single time. Not to mention the Rams averaged just 17.5 yards on kick returns on four tries. Throw in Austin Seibert having a perfect day kicking, and you have about as picture-perfect of a day from the special teams as you’ll see all season.