The Detroit Lions didn’t just beat the Chicago Bears in Week 2, they humiliated them. The 52-21 final score at Ford Field told one story, but the Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades revealed another: absolute domination across the board.
Detroit not only lit up the scoreboard but also had the top 5 offensive players from the game, while having three defensive standouts land among the top 5-graded defenders. That balance is exactly what Dan Campbell wants to see as his team tries to bounce back from its Week 1 loss to the Packers.
Amon-Ra St. Brown: Untouchable at WR
Grade: 92.9 (No. 1 offense)
Amon-Ra St. Brown was already the heartbeat of this Detroit offense, but on Sunday he looked like the best player on the field. PFF gave him the highest offensive grade of any player in the NFL for Week 2 after he hauled in 9 receptions for 115 yards and 3 touchdowns.
His route-running was crisp, his hands were reliable, and he turned every matchup into a mismatch. Simply put, St. Brown’s performance was All-Pro caliber.
Jared Goff: Surgical With the Football
Grade: 83.6 (No. 2 offense)
Jared Goff has been criticized in the past for being more of a game manager, but there was nothing conservative about what he did against Chicago. Goff completed 23-of-28 passes for 334 yards and 5 touchdowns, finishing with a near-perfect passer rating of 156.0.
PFF’s second-highest offensive grade reflects his efficiency and ability to spread the ball around. More importantly, Goff looked comfortable and in command, something Lions fans should expect moving forward.
Penei Sewell: Lockdown Protector
Grade: 82.1 (No. 3 offense)
If Goff had time to drop dimes all afternoon, credit goes to Penei Sewell and the offensive line. The All-Pro right tackle was nearly flawless in pass protection and set the tone in the run game.
With Taylor Decker nursing a shoulder injury, Sewell’s ability to anchor the line was even more important. He’s quickly becoming not just one of the best tackles in football, but one of the most valuable players in Detroit.
Isaac TeSlaa: Rookie Surprise
Grade: 76.5 (No. 4 offense)
The Lions have depth at wide receiver, but rookie Isaac TeSlaa made the most of his limited snaps (17 total). He graded out as the fourth-best offensive player of the week thanks to his reliability on short routes and a clutch 29-yard reception that set up points.
It’s early, but TeSlaa looks like another mid-round gem for Brad Holmes.
Jahmyr Gibbs: Explosive Weapon
Grade: 76.0 (No. 5 offense)
Gibbs reminded everyone why he’s one of the most dynamic backs in football. The second-year star carried the ball 12 times for 94 yards and a touchdown, including a highlight-reel 42-yard run where he showcased his burst and vision.
His ability to flip the field in one play makes Detroit’s offense almost impossible to defend when paired with St. Brown and Goff firing on all cylinders.
Brian Branch: Defensive Enforcer
Grade: 91.4 (No. 1 defense)
If Amon-Ra St. Brown was the star on offense, Brian Branch stole the show on defense. The second-year safety posted a PFF grade of 91.4, the highest among all defenders in Week 2.
Branch stuffed the stat sheet with 6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 pass breakup. His ability to diagnose plays and attack downhill completely disrupted Chicago’s rhythm.
Al-Quadin Muhammad: Pass Rush Spark
Grade: 73.7 (No. 4 defense)
With Aidan Hutchinson drawing double teams, Al-Quadin Muhammad took advantage. He recorded a sack and was consistently disruptive, finishing as the fourth-highest graded defender of the week.
His presence gives Detroit even more versatility on the edge, which will be key if Marcus Davenport’s shoulder injury lingers.
Aidan Hutchinson’s Presence Still Felt
Grade: 73.6 (No. 5 defense)
While Aidan Hutchinson didn’t crack the top five in PFF’s grading system this week, his impact was still undeniable. Hutchinson finished with four QB pressures and a sack, constantly forcing Williams off his spot and allowing teammates like Branch and Muhammad to capitalize. His relentless motor and ability to draw double-teams remain the heartbeat of Detroit’s pass rush.
The Big Picture
Pro Football Focus confirmed what fans saw with their own eyes: the Lions didn’t just win, they dominated. With stars like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Brian Branch at the top of their game, and supporting cast members like Isaac TeSlaa and Al-Quadin Muhammad stepping up, this was a complete team victory.
The challenge now? Carrying this momentum into Week 3’s primetime showdown against the Baltimore Ravens.
Recent Comments