Looking ahead, bears are now getting 9 points. They opened at +7.5 last week, was then off the board, then reappeared as +9 last night.
Lions now -10, 47.0. Feel like the latter could creep up.
From MCDC's locker room speech and the undercurrent of listening to the defensive players, you could tell the team was a little pissed off Sunday night. Always good to get a dub but that was a little deflating to have an MA and give up the 4th down GL touchdown after stopping them 7 times on goal to go plays. Early on they played with great intensity and they were physical, but once again we saw the same ole same ole - slow developing pressure, soft zone coverage.
I'm exasperated with AG. IDK why we don't send 5 or 6 guys, we're askng too much from our front 4 and not enough from the back 7. Dial up more blitzes and show you trust the dudes in the backfield by playing some press man. This slow death by a thousand cuts is excruciating.
Anyway, I have a feeling the guys on that side are about to bounce back and have themselves a day. I'm expecting a dominant defensive performance Sunday v the Bears.
Jamo only played 34 snaps, 18 routes run, but had his most consistent game. Graded 66.7; baby steps, but trending in the right direction for the first time in awhile.
Malcolm Rodriguez had himself a helluva game in limited opportunities. Only played 10 snaps - season high 5 at FB, including his first pass protection, and 5 at LB. The latter all came during that
stopped 'em 7 straight plays GL stand that ultimately ended in another Keenan Allen TD on the 8th G to go play. Highest graded defender at 91.9, 23 tackles, 2 run stops inside the 2 yard line. At fullback he graded 66.7 with a respectable blocking grade of 68.1
Jack Campbell logged 39 snaps (out of 66), 5th best run defender at 72.0 and the highest pass rush grade at 70.5 on 2 pass rush snaps. Had a missed tackle but overall solid effort including a stop in the almost epic GL stand.
Hutch had his best run D grade of the year at 76.1. His pass rush grade of 69.4 ranks 6th best out of 9 games; 3 hurries and 3 QB hits, but I believe that's 4 straight without a sack.
Benito Jones had his best game since Week 5, 2nd best grade he's achieved this year.
Was not a good day for Branch, Joseph and Sutton - 3 lowest graded defensive players.
Jerry Jacobs did everything well v the Chargers: Tackling 75.1, run d 64.8, coverage 61.6, overall 63.0.
Alim McNeil was once again a stout MFer, highest grade amongst the starters at 86.2 and 2nd to Rodriggo in run D at 84.5. 50 snaps is exhausting for a 3-tech but he was up for it, dude should make the Pro Bowl this year.
Alex Anzalone came in at 72.8, he's now at 74.0 on the season. So much better in 2023 than his first two years in Detroit. Imagine that, dude getting paid then earning it, what a concept.
Will Harris played well. On 5 snaps, 1 coverage snap. Thank you. Was beginning to think the coaches were literally blind.
John Cominsky was solid in his 27 snaps. OVERALL 73.5 RDEF 70.5 TACK 69.6 PRSH 64.8.
Julian O had a poor overall grade but had the 4th best run D grade at 75.8.
Josh Paschal logged a season high 39 snaps, Buggs 32. After seeing only 17 snaps v LV Derrick Barnes saw 38 uninspiring snaps in L.A.
There's a lot to cleanup from the D in the this one but I think that will be highly motivating as they prepare for Chicago.
I'll get to the offense later (or not at all), ya guys saw it, Ben was a mad scientist and the players executed to near perfection. Great game by the OL - they're the engine that powers everything - but that was close to peak from the whole offensive squad.