Through the first six weeks of the 2020 NFL season, no offensive line has done a better job of run blocking than the Detroit Lions. They’re simply the best, better than all the rest, as Tina Turner would warble.
The Lions do indeed have the top run blocking grade from Pro Football Focus through the Week 6 games. Detroit’s line has earned a run block grade of 80.3 from PFF. That edges out Cleveland and Green Bay for the top honor.
New offensive line coach Hank Fraley has molded a powerful, assertive unit that is doing a great job at creating run creases and sustaining blocks without getting called for holding. Center Frank Ragnow and left tackle Taylor Decker both grade out as elite in run blocking at their positions, as does WR Danny Amendola.
The analysts at Pro Football Focus see the blame for the oft-sputtering Lions ground game not on the line but rather the running backs themselves. Detroit’s runners are ranked 31st with a lowly 62.3 grade.
The pass protection has also been solid. Detroit has earned a grade of 73.5, which ranks 12th.
