Smile, Detroit Lions fans: the teams' defense made one play - the play - to seal a win over the New York Jets in Week 3.
That play, a strip sack from Chuck Clark with less than 50 seconds to go in the 4th quarter, helped to erase some other...questionable work from the Lions' secondary on the day. The team might've let the Jets come back from down 14, but it was their defense that ultimately sealed the victory for them at Ford Field.
Of course, while this was a win (and a gritty one, at that), there were still a few standouts for the wrong reasons during Week 3. We'll dive into them, and the teams' winners, as the team heads into a Sunday Night Football matchup in Week 4.
5 winners (and 2 losers) from Lions' much-needed win over Jets
Winner: Jahmyr Gibbs
Gibbs is evolving past just being a threat on the ground. His one touchdown reception and 65 total receiving yards helped keep the Lions' offense alive, but his 99 rushing yards are nothing to sneer at, either.
You can't ask for much else beyond what we saw Gibbs accomplish against a really solid Jets run defense. His cut backs were lethal, his speed was killer, and he even managed to squeeze in a few fun touchdown celebrations...actually, maybe we shouldn't advertise those to the NFL. They have not loved Detroit's expressions of joy as of late.
Gibbs got some "rest" today thanks to a very even-keeled attack by Jared Goff in the air, but he still finished up with 20 carries.
Loser: D.J. Reed
The sole actual starter in the Lions' secondary had two costly pass interference calls against him in Week 3, with both resulting in scores for the Jets. Not an ideal afternoon for the former Jet, who just kept getting beat by Garrett Wilson downfield.
The question remains with this Lions defense: is it a schematic mismatch that's leading to these sorts of penalties killing the Lions, and the amount of explosive plays they're still giving up in the air? Or, is it a personnel issue, with Reed on the "older" and shorter side for a defensive back?
We'll continue to watch this defense evolve throughout the season with players coming back from injury, but as of now, it just feels like a mix of both scheme mismatch and players unable to keep up with younger receivers.
Winner: Jared Goff
According to the Lions' PR account on Twitter, only five quarterbacks in NFL history have thrown for 800 yards, eight touchdowns, no interceptions, and have completed 75 percent of their passes:
1. Jared Goff (2026)
2. Kirk Cousins (2021)
3. Patrick Mahomes (2019)
4. Drew Brees (2018)
5. Tom Brady (2015)
6. Peyton Manning (2013)
Remember how, all preseason, we heard how Jordan Love and Caleb Williams were far and away the best quarterbacks in the NFC North, while Goff was a straggler?
Seems to me that Goff is the more elite between the two right now (although in Williams' defense, he's injured).
Elite company aside to begin this year, Goff has been such a steadying force throughout this first portion of the Lions' season. He easily commanded the field against a top-5 defense, and evenly distributed the ball to Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, and Gibbs. He also blocked for Gibbs on a touchdown run.
It's high time we start giving Goff his flowers for being the captain of an already-elite 2026 Lions offense.
Loser: Rock Ya-Sin
We'll go with another cornerback on the loser side of this victory, as Ya-Sin was benched in this contest in favor of Roger McCreary. McCreary, to his credit, was really good in coverage and only suffered one hiccup on a touchdown pass to Kenyon Sadiq. Even on that play, he did a good job.
Ya-Sin, transversely, came in for one snap and immediately drew a holding call that extended a Jets drive.
He's been one of the Lions' worst defenders so far this season, and it's obvious that the team needs to give a fair look to Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Keith Abney II before giving Ya-Sin any more leash this year. Or, you know, they could go and get a cornerback on the trade market. Easy enough.
Winner: Sione Vaki
Vaki had a rough start to the season, and was a non-factor in the Lions' Week 2 loss to the Bills. However, in this game, he had multiple blocks along the offensive line and finished up with 26 yards on six carries.
He seemed a lot more sure-footed on the ground in this game compared to his first two. He had been attempting to cut back a ton and avoid tackles in the first two weeks, whereas in Week 3, he was just using his strength to ground and pound.
It worked out wonderfully for Vaki, who has certainly earned more snaps for Week 4.
Winner: Alim McNeill
McNeill was the top-rated defender for the Lions according to PFF, finishing up Week 3 with a 85.9 grade thanks to seven pressures and 1.5 sacks. He was unbelievably disruptive, and that's exactly what Detroit needed up against a pretty good Jets offensive line.
While the Lions could've used more timely pressure from McNeill and the rest of the defensive line, he certainly helped to kill some of Geno Smith's momentum. He's having a great start to the season, and is only getting better.
Winner: The Lions for getting Juice Scruggs in the David Montgomery trade
On the other end of the Lions' PFF grades from Week 3, Juice Scruggs was the second-best player on offense: a 86.0 grade. Scruggs has been a revelation for the Lions as they're without Cade Mays for a few more weeks. And, he might still factor into the lineup once Mays is back if they want to try him out as a swing guard.
Before then, though, Scruggs is doing an excellent job of keeping Goff clean and creating running lanes. Getting him back in the David Montgomery trade was such a huge win for Detroit's front office.
Add us as a preferred source on Google