Denver — Justin Rogers grades the Detroit Lions’ performance in their 38-10 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Quarterback
This was a pretty standard Jared Goff performance, with a respectable completion percentage, but minimal damage done downfield. His longest pass of the game, a 20-yarder to Josh Reynolds, came against a softer coverage on a third-and-22 play. The veteran QB dealt with a lot of pressure, and had at least four passes batted down at the line of scrimmage. He also tossed a late interception, not leading his target enough, allowing safety Justin Simmons to make the diving pick. Grade: C-
Running backs
Just like he was in the preseason, Craig Reynolds was a breath of fresh air, getting the call off the practice squad and leading the backfield rotation with 11 carries for 83 yards, including a 35-yard romp that set up a touchdown in the second quarter.
Unfortunately, the stable’s performance was hurt by Godwin Igwebuike’s fumble early in the third quarter that proved to be the beginning of the end for Detroit. Denver translated the turnover into seven points, expanding the lead to 14.
Igwebuike nearly lost a second fumble, but he was got lucky, stepping out of bounds just before the ball popped free. Grade: B-
Wide receivers/tight ends
Kalif Raymond scored Detroit’s only touchdown on the day with a superbly executed route, reversing direction after a fake end around and coming wide open in the flat. He also had a fourth-down-converting catch on a drive that ended with a field goal in the second quarter.
Amon-Ra St. Brown paced the pass-catchers for the second consecutive week, snagging eight of 12 targets for 73 yards. Reynolds added 52 yards on three grabs as the team’s only vertical option. Grade: B
Offensive line
In terms of positives, the blocking opened up some quality run lanes for the ground game, playing a significant role in the team’s 5.6 yard per carry average. The pass blocking was less stellar, with Goff eating a two sacks, as well as the multiple batted passes. And while it could be dismissed as an accident, it’s never good when a lineman steps on the quarterback’s foot immediately after the snap. In this instance, it caused Goff to fall down and lose yardage on a second-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Grade: C-
Defensive line
The Broncos controlled this game on the ground, starting several drives with between three and five consecutive runs. They finished with 39 carries for 184 yards and three touchdowns, despite not having a gain longer than 16. That unquestionably starts up front, and while the unit probably deserves some leeway without how much practice time was missed due to a flu outbreak, defensive tackle Alim McNeill refused to use that as an excuse.
Detroit’s pass rush wasn’t much better, with one sack and four quarterback hits. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater generally had plenty of time to progress through his reads and make the right throw, completing 18-of-25 on the day. Grade: D
Linebackers
The Lions lost Alex Anzalone early in the contest, leaving the the linebacking duties to be split between rookie Derrick Barnes and Josh Woods, who despite playing just four defensive snaps prior to last week, took over relaying the play calls from the sidelines and stepped up with a season-high 13 tackles, including two for a loss.
Barnes was less impactful and had some glaring issues in coverage. He got caught pausing on a fake route, allowing to tight end Noah Fant getting free down the sideline for a 32-yard gain that set up an early touchdown. Barnes also was beat for a receiving touchdown by running back Javonte Williams, once against hesitating on the route. Grade: D
Secondary
Things got off to a shaky start when nickel Will Harris got beat on third down and reserve corner Nickell Robey-Coleman, who replaced an injured Jerry Jacobs early in the game, got flagged for an unnecessary pass interference on another third-down play during Denver’s opening touchdown drive.
The back end settled down in the second quarter, but coverage issues cropped back up down the stretch as Bridgewater competed all but one of his passes the final two quarters as the Broncos pulled away. Grade: D
Special teams
It was a relatively slow day for the special teams. The return games for both sides were a non-factor, while punter Jack Fox netted 46.5 yards on his two boots and Riley Patterson made his only field-goal attempt. That kick came from 36 yards out, after Fox expertly salvaged a high snap from Scott Daly. Grade: B+
Coaches
The coaches kept the Lions in the game after a sluggish start with a solid batch of play calls on offense and defense in the second quarter. The team believed they had momentum coming out of the second half, but that was lost after Igwebuike’s fumble and a failed fourth-down attempt led to 14 quick points for the Broncos in the third quarter.
I’m not going to fault Dan Campbell for going for it on that failed fourth-and-two, given the game was slipping away and he had to try to keep up. In fact, some credit is deserved for not running a draw or screen on the previous play, a third-and-22. Instead, the Lions threw downfield and gained 20 yards, showing growth from Campbell as a play-caller. Grade: C
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers