Detroit Lions report card for week 1 win over the Arizona Cardinals
By Rick Galda
Week 1 of the NFL season is over, and the Detroit Lions have emerged victorious over Arizona. Here is how I grade them, by position, based on what I saw.
The NFL is back and so are the Detroit Lions. After a hard fought battle against Arizona, the Lions emerged victorious. I’m not sure if the Lions played that well, or Arizona is way worse than advertised. My positional grades are based somewhere in the middle.
Defense
Defensive Line
There was a constant presence in the Arizona backfield on running and passing plays. The unit looked aggressive and in control. The big question is whether or not Arizona actually has an offensive line. They did last year. David Johnson looked useless, and I cannot in all certainty credit the Lions defensive line. At some point the defensive line needs to get home and make plays. Carson Palmer can’t even move….you have to sack him. Grade: C
Linebacker
Aggressive and reactionary. They got around. The rook is good, might be great down the road. Grade: B
Defensive Back
We have officially reached a point where opposing offenses avoid Big Play Slay. That shut down 1/4 of the field and is truly amazing given the Lions history at defensive back (Terry Fair, Bryant Westbrook). Glover Quin is solid, not great, but makes plays. Grade: B+
Offense
Quartebrack
Matthew Stafford makes more than you. He makes more than you and I combined. There is much debate about his new contract. All that said, he was a stud versus Arizona. Lots of yards and four touchdowns. The pick…. his receiver was actually tackled, yes tackled, before he could finish his route. If he plays like this all year, the Lions will not just make the playoffs, they will advance. Grade: A-
Running Back
Ameer Abduallah is back. It doesn’t matter. They still cant run. The line is improved and better and we still cannot run. There really isn’t anything to say here. It continues to be an embarrassment. Grade: D
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Stafford continues to make this group look better than they are. Tate is back and looks solid as a number 2. There is no number 1 on this team. Kenny Golladay has potential but remains an unpolished asset. Eric Ebron is the same guy he was when he was drafted. Bad hands, no blocking. Grade: C
Offensive Line
This is the only unit I’m not sure what to think of. As is, the line is bad. Really bad. Decker is missed and needed. Until then….who knows. Grade: D
Special teams
Why bother? The punter is hurt. The substitute punter is hurt. The kicker is punting…poorly. The return game is atrocious…literally disgusting. I’d give this unit an F if it made sense to do so , but instead they get an I. I can’t watch this and consider it a real NFL unit. Grade: Incomplete