Detroit Lions Week 15 report card: Lions escape from New York with last-minute win

The Detroit Lions escaped East Rutherford with a last-minute win over the New York Jets on Sunday, here’s our report card for Week 15.

It certainly wasn’t a pretty win, but for the Detroit Lions the how is not as important as getting it done. All that matters is the Lions managed to hold on for a narrow victory over the New York Jets to move to 7-7.

This game was a removal of the high-octane affairs the Lions have found themselves in over the past several weeks. The Jets’ stout defense kept the Lions in check for most of the game. Fortunately, the Lions’ defense did enough to keep the game close. In the final two minutes of the game, the Lions elevated their play and had a few huge moments to close the game out.

This game served as more proof of the Lions’ growth. This team can win in multiple different ways. Furthermore, the Lions have learned how to make plays when they need them the most.

Detroit Lions Week 15 Report Card

Rushing offense: 2.5/5 stars 

Detroit once again had a respectable yardage total  on the ground (107), with a poor average yards per carry (3.8). D’Andre Swift was able to generate a bit more on the ground as opposed to the other backs, but he was far from spectacular in this game.

This was a game the Lions desperately needed the run game to reignite, and it really didn’t. Detroit got away with it this week, but as the playoff push continues the run game needs to find its footing again.

Passing offense: 3/5 stars

It was a much different game than the passing attack has had over the last few weeks. The Jets have an elite secondary, and were content to drop seven defenders while forcing Jared Goff to throw into tight windows. For most of the day the result was the Lions getting some yardage, but when a big play was needed they couldn’t come through.

That changed on the final drive, but the Jets laid out a very good game plan for this offense. Goff was forced to throw underneath a lot because the deep routes weren’t developing. The one time a deep shot was there, Goff underthrew an open Jameson Williams on what would have been a touchdown. It was simply a much more tame game than we’ve seen from the offense since Week 9, but overall it was still good considering the opponent.

Best offensive player: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown

For the most part, it was difficult for the Lions’ receivers to gain separation. That included St. Brown,, as he was faced with some very tight coverage with regularity. Despite the challenge, he was able to make plays over the middle as he usually does. He was the only consistent piece of the Lions’ offense on Sunday.

Now closing in on 100 receptions and 1,000 yards on the season, St. Brown has been by far the Lions’ best skill position player offensively all season. Week after week his consistency has kept drives alive multiple times per game.

Worst offensive player: TE James Mitchell 

As Mitchell grows as a pro, one thing he’s been working on is his blocking. There were a few instances on Sunday where he showed he’s still very much a work in progress in that department. On the opening drive, for example, Detroit faced 4th-and-goal from the one-yard line. On the play, Mitchell whiffed on a block which resulted in a stop for the Jets.

Detroit relies a lot on their tight ends in the run game. They cannot afford to have them missing key blocks, especially against a defense as good as the Jets.

Run defense: 5/5 stars 

Another strong week for the Lions’ run defense. The Jets’ lead rusher Zonovan Knight had just 23 yards on 13 attempts, and the Jets as a team only managed 2.3 yards per rush.

Isaiah Buggs and Alim McNeill have been playing excellently on the interior. The edge defenders are staying disciplined on the outside. The linebackers and defensive backs simply have to clean up any mess that remains. The synchronization of the defensive front has been really impressive against the run.

Pass defense: 3/5 stars

A very hit-or-miss day for the Lions’ pass defense. The Jets would go three or four drives doing absolutely nothing, then they would hit on a deep shot. That’s part of the brand with Zach Wilson at quarterback, but it also led to a lot of frustration defensively. The Jets were throwing it deep every drive and the Lions still had their struggles.

The secondary is still very young, and those young players don’t really know what to do against a quarterback who can operate out of structure. Any time Wilson got out of the pocket he was able to find someone open down the field.

Best defensive player: DE Aidan Hutchinson

The entire defensive line had a very strong day, but Hutchinson’s work against the run really stood out. He was setting the edge very effectively, and his hand usage was exceptional.

In the pass-rushing department, Hutchinson was shifted inside and rushed from the 3-technique spot more often. While he wasn’t as effective there as a result, he still generated a few pressures that resulted in sacks for teammates.

Worst defensive player: S Kerby Joseph 

Going back to the point of Wilson creating out of structure and giving the Lions’ young secondary fits, Joseph had a really tough day. On the Jets’ second-quarter touchdown, for example, Joseph got caught drifting and Wilson delivered a dart across the field.

For as good as Joseph has been at creating turnovers, he’s still sometimes struggling to read the play as it develops. That’s a skill which will continue to be develop as he gets more snaps/experience, but on Sunday it resulted in multiple big plays for the Jets.

Coaching Staff: 4/5 stars

Special shout-out to Dave Fipp. His special teams unit has been spectacular most of the season, and they were again on Sunday. The kick and punt coverage was exceptional, and Kalif Raymond  delivered a punt return for a touchdown to open the scoring.

For the rest of the staff, it was mostly the status quo. Ben Johnson delivered some creative play calls at the biggest moments, including the decisive touchdown from Goff to Brock Wright.

Aaron Glenn’s defense held strong for the most part.

It was overall a strong day for the Lions’ coaching staff. The two criticisms are how the secondary could have been better prepared for the barrage of downfield shots and the defensive ends needed to focus on containing the mobile Wilson in the pocket. Those issues improved by magnitudes in the second half though, so Glenn and the defensive staff deserve credit for that

Play of the game: Brock Wright’s 51-yard touchdown reception

Coming out of the two-minute warning, Detroit faced a fourth down at midfield. Conventional wisdom suggested a run play to pick up a single yard. But Much like the biggest play a week ago against the Vikings, Ben Johnson threw out conventional wisdom and trusted his players to make a play. That trust resulted in not just a huge first down, but a game-winning score.

If Detroit’s magical run continues and they manage to make the playoffs, this might go down as the play of the season. A perfect call with perfect execution when the Lions needed it the most.

Final thoughts:

All of a sudden the Lions’ playoff dream no longer feels like a dream. The Giants and Commanders play each other on Sunday Night Football, presumably one of those teams will lose this time around. As soon as Monday morning, Detroit could be in a playoff spot if things fall their way.

From 1-6 to 7-7 and being (barring a tie between the Giants and Commanders) half a game out of the playoffs. Considering where things stood entering Week 9, it’s absolutely astonishing improvement.