The Detroit Lions returned to their dominant form with a decisive victory over the Washington Commanders. Beyond the win itself, this game highlighted just how impactful head coach Dan Campbell has been for the team. Here’s a breakdown of the positional performances and grades from Week 10.
Quarterback: A
Jared Goff didn’t throw any jaw-dropping passes, but he did exactly what mattered—reading the defense correctly and delivering accurate throws that allowed his receivers to rack up yards after the catch. The Lions led the league in YAC with 191 on Sunday. Goff’s completion rate exceeded expectations by +11.5%, despite facing pressure on 42.4% of his dropbacks, ranking sixth in the NFL for the week. A steady, smart performance from the quarterback.
Running Backs: A+
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery were a dynamic duo, combining speed and power to consistently gain yards. Gibbs averaged 9.5 yards per carry, second-best in the league, with a rushing EPA of +8.5, the highest for the week. He also contributed 30 receiving yards and a touchdown. Montgomery added 71 rushing yards at 4.7 yards per attempt. Both backs benefited from a strong offensive line, but their own playmaking was equally impressive.
Tight End: A
Sam LaPorta continues to be Goff’s go-to option in key situations, converting multiple critical downs and moving the chains consistently. Brock Wright may not have caught any passes, but his blocking helped both the run game and pass protection.
Wide Receivers: A-
This unit was slightly hampered by a couple of drops—one each from Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams—but otherwise excelled. St. Brown, Williams, Kalif Raymond, and Isaac TeSlaa combined for 237 yards and two touchdowns on 16 catches. Williams tied his career high with six catches and showcased his versatility, running almost every route type. Raymond and TeSlaa added much-needed production from the WR3 spot.
Offensive Line: A
Despite missing a starter and dealing with in-game injuries, Detroit’s line controlled the game. The team rushed for a season-high 226 yards, averaging 3.78 yards before contact per carry, second in Week 10. Pass protection allowed five quarterback hits—not perfect, but sufficient for Goff to operate effectively on long-developing plays.
Defensive Line: C-
The defensive line had a quiet game, with stars like Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, and Al-Quadin Muhammad largely held in check. Still, they helped limit Washington’s rushing attack to 93 yards on 3.4 yards per carry. Roy Lopez led the front with two tackles for loss, including a half-sack.
Linebackers: B
Jack Campbell continues to impress with his pursuit and tackling, highlighted by a key two-point conversion stop. Alex Anzalone played solid coverage, while Derrick Barnes had a quieter outing. Overall, it was a competent but unspectacular performance from Detroit’s linebacker group.
Secondary: C+
The Lions gave up too many big plays downfield, including completions of 30, 37, and 41 yards. Some of these were simply outstanding plays by the Commanders’ receivers. Terrion Arnold looked promising before leaving with a concussion, and Brian Branch had a strong game with 1.5 sacks and seven tackles, including a tackle for loss.
Special Teams: C-
Special teams had its issues with a big kick return allowed and a blocked kick, though overall performance wasn’t terrible. Kickoff coverage was strong, aided by a strategic out-of-bounds kick that consistently pinned the Commanders deep in their territory. Kicker Jake Bates was perfect on a rainy day.
Coaching: A+
Dan Campbell’s leadership was on full display. Taking over play-calling wasn’t easy, but the decision paid off. The offense played to its strengths, using horizontal routes for Williams, athletic gap concepts for the run game, and well-timed play-action. Campbell also managed the clock and challenges smartly and kept the team disciplined, with only three accepted penalties. This game reinforced why Campbell deserves serious consideration for Coach of the Year.
