Detroit Lions

GRADE
Date	Current	Previous
01/05/12	C-	C
A solid effort by Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and the offense was undone by the Lions’ worst tackling effort of the season. The D-line couldn’t create pressure on Drew Brees, exposing weak secondary play. Detroit has proven itself a legitimate 2012 playoff contender, but its defense must improve if it wants to advance in the tournament. -- Larry Holder
12/29/11	C	A+
They’re going to the playoffs for the first time since 1999, but in the most deflating way imaginable. The Lions lost, 45-41, to a Packers team that sat four Pro Bowlers, including QB Aaron Rodgers, and had nothing to play for but pride. Detroit gained 575 yards but allowed 550, including a Packers-record 480 to backup QB Matt Flynn. WR Calvin Johnson was megatronic, but the rest of the team badly needs some repairs. -- James Carlton, RapidReports Correspondent
12/22/11	A+	A
Detroit set four franchise records, and tied a fifth during what can only be described as a dominant performance. After five losses to playoff contenders this season Critics questioned Detroit’s ability to win against teams with postseason aspirations. By handing San Diego only their third December loss since 2006, Detroit proved they belong among the league’s elite. -- John Kreger, RapidReports Correspondent
12/15/11	A	C
The Lions waged a comeback they won’t soon forget, taking the lead for good on Matthew Stafford’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson with 39 seconds left. Stafford and Johnson were all but unstoppable, tearing the Raiders’ secondary apart. -- Eric Gilmore, RapidReports Correspondent
12/08/11	C	D+
Detroit's first half performance was their most disciplined of the season, but multiple injuries in the secondary made the final score too close for comfort. The offense stagnated after halftime, scoring just three points. Unless Detroit addresses their injury issues, it's difficult to see them getting the wins they'll need to earn a playoff spot. -- John Kreger, RapidReports Correspondent
12/01/11	D+	F
Detroit saw every playoff team hovering around the standings go down earlier Sunday. The Lions couldn't take advantage and look more undisciplined than ever. The Lions offense chalked up a ton of yards, but couldn't muster more than 17 points to show for it. Detroit's banged-up defense had few answers for Drew Brees and the high-octane Saints offense. -- Larry Holder, RapidReports Correspondent
11/24/11	F	B-
Kevin Smith's knee injury completely changed Detroit's offensive game-plan, allowing Green Bay to focus almost exclusively on stopping Detroit's passing attack. The injury doesn't mitigate the numerous turnovers and penalties that negated any chance Detroit had of getting a crucial divisional win. Like DT Ndamukong Suh's ejection, Detroit's eight-game Thanksgiving losing streak is embarrassing. -- John Kreger, RapidReports Correspondent
11/17/11	B-	D
Kevin Smith's 201 all-purpose yards gave the Lions an offensive dimension they've been lacking since Jahvid Best's Week 6 concussion. Forcing Carolina to respect the run allowed Detroit's receivers to run roughshod over an injury-depleted Panthers secondary. Matthew Stafford's five touchdowns should silence even his harshest critics. -- John Kreger, RapidReports Correspondent
11/10/11	D	A
Detroit's defense did their part, holding Chicago's offense to 216 total yards. Their effort was negated by six turnovers, a struggling run game, woeful special teams, and Matthew Stafford's worst game of the season. Detroit's players were outclassed in nearly every key situation. The loss puts a major dent in their playoff prospects. -- John Kreger, RapidReports Correspondent
11/03/11
10/27/11	A	D+
The Lions were peeved coming off two losses. It showed. Matthew Stafford resembled a real franchise QB, with TD passes of 41, 1 and 56 yards. The Lions' defense made Denver one-dimensional and, in turn, unleashed their pass rush. Defensive end Cliff Avril and CB Chris Houston each scored in what was a laugher for the last two and a half quarters. -- Lee Rasizer, RapidReports Correspondent
10/20/11	D+	C+
Falcons' mistakes kept Detroit in the game until the final drive, but the Lions' effort was by far their worst of the season. Undisciplined penalties, poor O-line play, and coverage lapses at inopportune times combined to doom Detroit. The Lions now face a pair of difficult road games. -- John Kreger, RapidReports Correspondent
10/13/11	C+	A-
Red-zone penalties that cost them points, and an inability to stop the run cost Detroit a game they should've won. After outscoring opponents 109-23 in the second half of its first five games, Detroit's out-of-sync offense could manage just ten second-half points Sunday. San Francisco gave Detroit plenty of opportunities to remain undefeated. The Lions simply didn't take them. -- John Kreger, RapidReports Correspondent
10/06/11	A-	A
Jahvid Best's career-high 163 rushing yards were the key to Detroit's most complete offensive performance this season. The presence of a legitimate ground game opened the entire playbook, and the resulting coverage gave Matthew Stafford and Detroit's receivers room to shine. The defense held Chicago in every key situation, and Detroit emerged from Monday's game a legitimate playoff contender. -- John Kreger, RapidReports Correspondent
09/29/11	A	B+
The Lions are not only proving they are for real at 4-0, but they can rally in the second half. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson were good enough to do the rest. Huge win for this young team. -- Nick Eatman, RapidReports Correspondent
09/22/11	B+	A
The Lions have been a stronger second-half team in 2011, and after spotting the Vikings a 163-yard differential and a 20-0 halftime lead, they came roaring back on the arm of QB Mathew Stafford with 26 points to beat the Vikings on the road for the time since 1997. -- Joe Oberle, RapidReports Correspondent
09/15/11	A	B+
The Lions entered Sunday's game looking to prove their Week 1 win wasn't a fluke. After forcing six turnovers, moving the ball at will in the second half, and posting the largest margin of victory in franchise history, they've done more than that. Their performance was a complete domination. -- John Kreger, RapidReports Correspondent
09/08/11	B+	-
Matthew Stafford completed 24 of 33 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns. WR Calvin "Megatron" Johnson won the battle against CB Aqib Talib by catching six passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Detroit also stuffed Tampa's running game, holding them to 48 rushing yards. -- Scott Purks, RapidReports Correspondent

GPA Key
A = 4.0	A- = 3.7	B+ = 3.3
B = 3.0	B- = 2.7	C+ = 2.3
C = 2.0	C- = 1.7	D+ = 1.3
D = 1.0	D- = 0.7