Detroit Lions: 3 game balls for Week 7 vs. Cowboys
1. CB Jeff Okudah
Okudah was sprinkled in to a different role on Sunday, and it’s safe to say it suited him. He was an absolute force defending the run, with 15 total tackles (12 solo, one tackle for loss). He was used as an in-the-box safety for 18 snaps of the 57 he played, and he also drew two holding penalties.
CBS analyst Tony Romo seemed to be on repeat saying Okudah saved big Cowboys’ runs for a stretch of the game on Sunday.
Per PFF, the Lions put Jeff Okudah in the box on 18 snaps yesterday (he had 15 tackles on the official sheet). Both numbers are career-highs but I'm most interested in that first one moving forward.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) October 24, 2022
Context: Okudah played more box snaps than LB Derrick Barnes on Sunday.
Jeff Okudah’s Week 7 PFF grades
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) October 24, 2022
Defense: 86.1
Run defense: 90.1
Tackling: 84.1
Coverage: 75.1
Those are the best grades of Okudah’s career in all four categories.
That 86.1 grade from Pro Football Focus was the top grade for a Lions’ defensive player in Week 7, however obviously, and the top grade for any Lion on either side of the ball by a solid margin.
Given how injuries impacted his rookie season and ended his second season in Week 1, it’s not a shock that this one of the best games of Okudah’s career thus far (I’d probably still give a nod to shutting down Justin Jefferson back in Week 3 against the Vikings over Sunday).
Okudah has really stepped up this season, rooted in simply being healthy enough for his talent to shine through. He’s the Lions’ No. 1 star of the game of Week 7, to use hockey parlance, and he’s our No. 1 game ball recipient for the week.
Honorable mention Week 7 Game Balls: DE Josh Paschal, S Kerby Joseph
Must Read. Detroit Lions Week 7 Report Card: Offense's regression rules the day. light