One of the reasons why the Detroit Lions have improved from a bottom-10 scoring defense in 2023 to a spot in the top 10 with one game left in 2024 is a focus on tackling. Through all the injuries and lineup shifts, the Lions have been good at tackling.
That’s reflected with the Pro Football Focus team tackling grades. Detroit is hanging on to the best mark entering the Week 18 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
Sitting atop the PFF rankings with a 71.8 grade, the Lions have earned the top tackling score. Aaron Glenn’s unit has two games (Houston and Jacksonville) with tackling grades over 82 and just one (Seattle) under 50.
Safety Kerby Joseph leads the Lions with a tackling grade of 86.8 and a missed tackle rate of just 6 percent. Among Lions with at least 10 tackles on the season, LBs Ben Niemann, Jack Campbell and Malcolm Rodriguez and CB Terrion Arnold all sport tackling grades over 75.0 from PFF.