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Detroit Lions report card for week 4 win over the Minnesota Vikings

By Rick Galda

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 1: Tahir Whitehead #59 of the Detroit Lions signals a turnover after recovering a fumble by Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter of the game on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 1: Tahir Whitehead #59 of the Detroit Lions signals a turnover after recovering a fumble by Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter of the game on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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In week 4 of NFL action, the 2-1 Detroit Lions faced off against their divisional opponent, the 2-1 Minnesota Vikings. The Lions did enough to win and emerged victorious 14-7.

Offense

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford was adequate this week. He wasn’t good,  he wasn’t awful. He didn’t win the game for the Lions. This is where one of those classic terms “Game Manager” is accurate. He will have better games. It is a testament to how far the rest of the team has come that the were still victorious.

Grade: C-

Wide Receivers

The wide receivers were, once again unimpressive, at this point they rarely get open and make plays. Golladay was out, Golden Tate rarely got yards after the catch and Marvin Jones had one great catch. That isn’t nearly enough.

Grade: D

Tight Ends

Eric Ebron was better than last week, still not what the Lions spent a high draft pick on, however. Darren Fells was surprising catching the ball. He may not be the permanent solution. but he stepped it up against the Vikings.

Grade: B-

Running Backs

Ameer Abdullah was on display Sunday. He broke off a few nice runs and maintained a high yardage per carry average. Theo RIddick was ghost. The Lions fed him the ball a lot, but there were few positive results. If Abdullah was an A, Riddick was a D-.

Grade: C+

Offensive Line

This unit continues to disappoint. Injuries are a part of it, but the lack of cohesion is a real concern.  Greg Robinson continues to be a real concern and his roll on this team will be non existent once Taylor Decker returns. If the line cannot keep Stafford upright, this season will be a long one for the Lions offense.

Grade: D-

Defense

Secondary

Darius Slay and Glover Quin continue to play great defense both in the running game and the passing game. The secondary continues to drive the defense week to week. With those two driving the secondary the other players’ deficiencies are less obvious.

Grade: A-

Linebackers

The linebackers miss Jarrad Davis. Now they lost lost the best natural tackler in the group Paul Worrilow. The Lions are now deep enough at this position to continue these losses. This could be a tremendous concern going forward. When intact this unit can be very good, right now, not so much.

Grade: C

Defensive Line

It seems like this line cannot come together. Ezekiel Ansah still looks a step behind and A’Shawn Robinson has taken steps, but looks a year shy of being a first tier NFL defensive tackle. The line looks better than they are because of the great play of the secondary. The line may get better in the future as the line backers get healthy, but for now it is a weak point.

Grade: C

Special Teams

Matt Prater missed. He missed from over 50 yards. It finally happened. All that being said, the special teams are good and will only get better with the return of Sam Martin. The return game was absent this week, but can be a weapon moving forward.

Grade: B

Next: Lions game balls for week 4 win over Vikings

Coaching

The staff did enough to win. The offense wasn’t stellar, but the defense was good. Special teams were good.  This staff continues to look good week to week.

Grade: B+

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