The Detroit Lions have had an inconsistent season offensively in 2025, struggling to be as explosive as they once were in years prior. The reason may have as much to do with scheme and luck as anything else.
Up front, the Lions have struggled with consistency, given issues with their revamped offensive line. Additionally, there's been injury trouble, with a key cog in Christian Mahogany going down and others getting dinged up. In spite of all the problems, one player remains a stud.
Tackle Penei Sewell remains a force, and the metrics continue to show him as perhaps the best player in football. PFF writer Bradley Locker took a look at identifying the 10 best non-quarterbacks. Unsurprisingly, Sewell was near the top of the list thanks to his hard work.
"Yet again, Sewell has a case to be the best non-quarterback — if not all-around player — in football. His 94.9 PFF grade is the best of anyone in the NFL, including over seven points better than the next-closest qualified offensive lineman. The Lions star has generated a ridiculous 97.2 PFF run-blocking grade through 11 weeks, which is the second-best by any qualified lineman in PFF history in that span."
If that wasn't impressive enough, the Lions had another player crack the list. Locker placed wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown on the ledger for his abilities at receiver for the Detroit offense.
"St. Brown was the NFL’s most valuable receiver a season ago, and he’s only a stone’s throw away from that title in 2025. The Lions star has been productive as ever with an 85.5 PFF receiving grade and 2.33 yards per route run while also hauling in 50% of his contested tries. Further, St. Brown is in the 75th percentile in separation rate against single coverage."
While this season has been different, it's not a lost cause for the Lions. The team's best players continue to raise their game, and it might be a matter of time before they help put everything together. This only proves the Lions still have talent on the field, no matter what's gone wrong.
Lions need to rely on their big game players to drive them offensively
While there has been plenty of justified hand-wringing about Detroit's offense, the fact is, the Lions still have plenty of talent to lead them down the stretch of the season. There is enough star players to outclass the talented defenses they will face the rest of the way.
Having two of the best players who are non-quarterbacks will go a long way toward helping Detroit. St. Brown is searching for consistency after some rough games this season and some unexpected drops, but he remains a combustable force offensively capable of erupting any game.
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For the offensive line, while they've had problems in the middle, Sewell will remain the perfect anchor on the outside. As long as Sewell is healthy and on the field, the Lions will have the ability to be stout up front. He is arguably their heart and soul in the trenches with some of the changes that have taken place.
While things might feel bleak for the 6-4 Lions coming off a loss, folks need only look to these players for hope. Not only do the Lions have game-changers like Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs, but Sewell and St. Brown are there to provide plays and leadership, too.
If the Lions turn things around down the stretch offensively, a big reason why will be this duo. So long as they are healthy, they will be playing a solid role for Detroit and helping lead them through the dog days of the season.