Detroit Lions bye week report card: Grading the first five weeks

With a 1-4 record this season into a much-needed bye, here’s a report card for the Detroit Lions at the week off.

The tides of the Detroit Lions season have quickly begun turning for the worst over the past few weeks. After beginning the season a somewhat promising 1-1, they have dropped three straight games and all were frustrating in their own way.

As a result, Detroit now sits with a dismal 1-4 record looking toward the toughest stretch of the season. Coming out of the bye they will face the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers, who all have winning records and are a combined 10-5 entering Week 6’s action.

So the Lions have to find some answers, and quickly. The week off is coming at a good time, so players can get healthy and the coaching staff can try to fix things without having had a game to prepare for.

Detroit Lions bye week report card: Grading the first five games

Offense

Rushing offense: 5/5 stars 

Expectations were sky-high for the Lions’ run game coming into the season. The offensive line was being heralded as one of the best in the league. D’Andre Swift looked poised to breakout in his third year, with Jamaal Williams serving as the compliment back behind him. In Week 1 the backfield combination worked to perfection, with Swift supplying explosive plays and Williams scoring two short-yardage touchdowns.

Unfortunately, injuries sidelined Swift for the two games heading into the bye and the offensive line has been hit by injuries again. Left guard Jonah Jackson missed multiple weeks, while right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai has not (and possibly will not) play this season. Center Frank Ragnow has only missed one game, but foot and groin issues have landed him on the injury report during the practice week. The reserve lineman have stepped up when called upon.

Detroit is averaging 151.4 rushing yards per game, good for sixth in the league. Coming out of the bye week Jackson and Ragnow should be healthier, Tommy Kraemer may be getting close to returning to step in at right guard. Swift should be back in the lineup after getting the time off he needed.

Passing offense: 4/5 stars

The stats don’t match the eye test quite as much here. The Lions are sixth in the league in passing (260.4 yards per game), and overall the offense is top-five in total yards (third) and scoring (third).

The offensive line injuries have impacted pass protection. Logan Stenberg struggled mightily in pass protection at right guard, which resulted in Evan Brown being forced to switch positions to make a spot start there. Then in Week 5 the offensive line had one of the worst performances it has had under Dan Campbell, as tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell both had rough outings.

Another aspect has been the play-calling at timess. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has gotten cute at times, rather than maintain straight-forward and stick with what’s working. But that’s nitpicking, as Johnson has broadly been very good calling plays and getting the best out of Jared Goff.

Rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams is yet to take the field as he completes his recovery from a torn ACL. He won’t be ready coming right out of the bye in Week 7, but his 21-day practice window to be placed on the active roster may be opened up before the end of October.

Best offensive player: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown

It’s very clear St. Brown is Goff’s favorite target. In the three healthy games he’s played, St. Brown has totaled 23 receptions for 253 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also added a pair of rushes for 68 yards. Quite simply outstanding production when healthy, which hopefully he can be coming out of the bye week after he had a chance to full rest an ankle injury.

There’s not much to say that hasn’t already been said about St. Brown. He’s the epitome of consistency, and he has continued playing at the high level he was at the end of the 2021 season.

Worst offensive player: QB Jared Goff

Calling Goff the Lions’ “worst” offensive player so far this season is a bit harsh. But it has less to do with him specifically, and more to do with how good everyone else has been.

Ultimately Goff has done more than most people expected. He looks a lot more comfortable in the pocket, showing some nimble footwork at times to evade pressure. He also is looking a lot more comfortable progressing through his reads and making throws into tight windows.

The downside of Goff has shown it’s face though. At least once a game there’s a play where he throws a bone-headed pass right to a defender, or does his patented spin move away from pressure without actually avoiding the rush. It’s been made worse by three of Goff’s five turnovers being returned for a touchdown.

For as good as Goff has generally been, those hiccups are a reminder that quarterback is still high on the priority list for this franchise moving forward.