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DET-GB Grades: Secondary steps up for Lions, stun Packers

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) makes a reception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Here are the top takeaways and highest-graded players from the Lions’ 18-16 win over the Packers, their first in Green Bay since 1991:

Detroit Lions

– The Lions gave up 333 yards to Aaron Rodgers, but it took 65 dropbacks for Rodgers to reach that mark and there were a few standout performances in the Lions secondary. Darius Slay did not allow a catch and was targeted just once on a game-high 69 snaps in coverage for a +3.0 coverage grade. Quandre Diggs allowed just two catches for 22 yards on nine targets, including a pass defense. Lastly, Nevin Lawson played very physical throughout the game and was targeted a team-high 16 times. But those went for just 57 yards on seven receptions.

– It wasn’t an impressive performance by the offensive line in pass protection, but it was certainly a step up from their level of play over the last few weeks. The offensive line allowed 10 hurries for an 80.3 Pass Blocking Efficiency, but Stafford did a good job of navigating the pocket when defenders were closing in. In total, he was pressured on 13 of 38 dropbacks, and completed nine passes for 139 yards and a +2.0 pass grade on those plays. They need improvement, but it was a step in the right direction.

– The coaching changes haven’t made much of a difference in Detroit’s effectiveness in the run game, or lack thereof. Joique Bell and Theo Riddick
combined for 18 yards on 17 carries, while Ameer Abdullah gained 15 yards on five runs. The core of the problem still lies upfront, where four of the six offensive linemen that played earned below average run blocking grades. The offense combined for a -12.1 run block grade with the highest graded player, C Travis Swanson, coming in at +0.6.

Top performers:

CB Darius Slay (+3.3)
WR Calvin Johnson (+2.3)
CB Quandre Diggs (+2.2)
SS Isa Abdul-Quddus (+2.2)
HB Ameer Abdullah (+1.3)

Green Bay Packers

– The Packers’ wide receivers’ struggles continued on Sunday. Davante Adams was targeted an insane 21 times during the game, but could only turn that into 10 catches for 79 yards with a couple drops. James Jones was targeted just twice on 68 routes ran, and was held without a catch. Overall, their top three wide receivers combined to catch just 15 of 33 targets for 132 yards, had four drops, and earned a combined -6.3 pass grade. However, where the wide receivers fell short, the Packers’ tight ends stepped up. Richard Rodgers and Justin Perillo combined for 10 catches on 11 targets and two touchdowns.

– DE Mike Daniels had another solid outing, and this one largely game at the expense of Lions’ rookie LG Laken Tomlinson. Daniels had five total pressures, but his biggest impact came in run defense as he dominated Tomlinson at times. With his third +5.5 overall grade or higher of the season, Daniels has already eclipsed his previous season-best grade through just nine games. In the 44 games since the start of the 2013 season, Daniels has earned above average overall grades (+1.1 or higher) in 25 games, in contrast to just two below average games (-1.1 or lower).

– FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix bounced back after his worst game of the season with the highest-graded game of his career. He had a huge interception in the red zone, but also allowed just 18 yards on three catches and five targets with only one going for a first down. Clinton-Dix also had three run stops, all of which came when lined up more than eight yards off the line of scrimmage.

Top performers:

DE Mike Daniels (+5.5)
FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (+4.9)
LG Josh Sitton (+2.8)
LB Clay Matthews (+2.7)
TE Richard Rodgers (+2.0)

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