Pro Football Focus released its grades for the Lions’ 20-0 loss to Carolina. Befitting Detroit’s first shutout loss in 11 years, the offensive grades were poor across the board.
Rookie guard Jonah Jackson earned the highest grade on offense with a 74.0 overall. Interestingly enough, Jackson had the worst pass protection mark at just 26.9 for allowing two sacks and four total pressures. And that was the best…
Center Frank Ragnow was the only lineman not guilty of allowing a QB pressure, aiding his 52.3 overall grade. An errant snap and a penalty lowered his score.
The Lions had two defenders top the 90.0 barrier in overall scores. Second-year CB Amani Oruwariye led all Lions with a 91.6 grade, his best of the season. Oruwariye notched an interception while allowing just one catch for three yards in the game. LB Reggie Ragland earned a 90.9 for his work in the run game. His forced fumble spiked Ragland’s score in just 30 snaps.
Cornerback Jeff Okudah allowed five catches for 82 yards on five targets, contributing to his 66.1 overall score. He propped that up with a fantastic 87.2 mark in run defense, second to Ragland, and a team-best 80.3 tackling grade.
Another rookie defender had what seems like a weirdly low score. Sixth-round nose tackle John Penisini received the Lions’ lowest mark, a 37.4 overall grade. Penisini bagged the team’s only sack, led the Lions in stops (4) and generally looked like the best player on the front seven all afternoon. He certainly had the most positive energy of any Lions lineman on either side of the ball.
