Pride of Detroit
A look at the Detroit Lions Week 8 snap counts against the Tennessee Titans, including how the defensive line continues to adapt to obstacles.
Let’s take a detailed look at the Detroit Lions Week 8 snap counts from their 38-point win over the Tennessee Titans. Two things to keep in mind this week: first, the Lions constantly had the ball in great field position because of special teams and turnovers, so the snap counts are lower than normal (just 48 plays on offense); second, with such a massive lead, the Lions turned to their backups in the fourth quarter.
Jeremy Reisman best illustrated the unusualness of this game with this fun stat: the Lions were the first team since 1941 to score over 50 points but have less than 250 yards of offense in a single game.
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff: 42 (88%)
Hendon Hooker: 6 (12%)
With short fields, along with explosive plays on special teams and in the running game, Goff only threw the ball 15 times, completing 12 for 85 yards and three touchdowns. The Lions did score seven touchdowns on the day, including going five-for-five in the red zone.
“I’ve had a lot of games where I’ve had a whole lot of yards and not a lot of touchdowns. So, those even themselves out,” Goff said post-game.
Hooker took over at the beginning of the fourth quarter and completed two of his three passing attempts, but only gained 6 yards, as the Lions were more interested in running out the clock than actually trying to score.
Running backs
David Montgomery: 23 (48%)
Jahmyr Gibbs: 19 (40%)
Craig Reynolds: 6 (12%) — 21 special teams snaps (64%)
Sione Vaki: 1 (2%) — 22 (67%)
Montgomery ran for 33 yards on nine attempts, and scored two touchdowns—one on the ground and through the air, throwing a dart to Sam LaPorta. Gibbs ran the ball 11 times but registered 127 yards and a score, including a 70-yarder. Reynolds took over in the fourth quarter, rushing three times for 3 yards. Vaki saw just one snap on offense but he was the Lions second-highest graded special teamers with a 90.2 grade from PFF.
Overall, it was another statistically impressive day for the Lions backs, despite having their opportunities scaled back.
Tight ends
Sam LaPorta: 38 (79%)
Brock Wright: 20 (42%) — 11 (33%)
Shane Zylstra: 13 (27%) — 20 (61%)
Parker Hesse: INACTIVE
LaPorta and Wright each got to celebrate National Tight Ends Day with a touchdown catch. Zylstra saw the most offensive snaps of his season, including five snaps at fullback, but it was his play on special teams that stood out, as he registered a 76.9 grade from PFF, the third-best on the team.
Wide receivers
Amon-Ra St. Brown: 42 (88%)
Tim Patrick: 37 (77%)
Allen Robinson: 21 (44%)
Kalif Raymond: 15 (31%) — 6 (18%)
Isaiah Williams: 5 (10%) — 3 (9%)
Jameson Williams: Suspension
With no Jameson Williams, the Lions leaned on veteran Allen Robinson...
