The Detroit Lions turned in a commanding showing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night, combining balanced offense and suffocating defense. Yet, the postgame praise wasn’t evenly distributed, as several top players received unexpectedly poor ratings from Pro Football Focus (PFF)

While the Lions’ offense lacked fireworks at times, their defense sparkled—especially with the breakout play of cornerback Nick Whiteside. Filling in for injured teammates D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold, Whiteside seized his opportunity, producing a strong overall defensive mark of 83.9 across 40 snaps, featuring a team-best coverage grade of 84.9.

Whiteside’s outing stood out as he surrendered only one completion on five targets—the lone catch being Baker Mayfield’s touchdown pass to Tez Johnson. The only Lion who graded higher was defensive lineman Tyrus Wheat, who posted an incredible 94.7 fueled by 1.5 sacks in just nine snaps.

Other defensive contributors included edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, linebacker Jack Campbell, and tackle DJ Reader, all crucial in Detroit’s stout defensive effort.

Offensive Line Excels, Goff Falters

On offense, Detroit’s front five anchored the night, highlighted by right tackle Penei Sewell’s elite 89.6 grade. Left tackle Taylor Decker and rookie guard Tate Ratledge also graded well, underscoring the offensive line’s dominance in both protection and run support.

But the Lions’ convincing victory was overshadowed by quarterback Jared Goff’s struggles. Despite leading the team to a win, his outing drew harsh evaluation, earning him a poor 37.4 PFF grade—the lowest of any player this week. Two costly turnovers, including an interception that set up a Bucs field goal, defined his uneven performance.

Wideout Jameson Williams also disappointed, finishing without a reception and adding to Detroit’s offensive frustrations.

Below is a closer breakdown of the Lions’ top and bottom PFF performers from the matchup with Tampa Bay, including only players with at least ten snaps:

 Top offensive PFF grades
RT Penei Sewell — 89.6
RB Jahmyr Gibbs — 81.9
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown — 77.1
LT Taylor Decker — 71.7
RG Tate Ratledge — 69.6

 Lowest offensive PFF grades
TE Brock Wright — 61.9
TE Sam LaPorta — 53.8
RB David Montgomery — 50.6
WR Jameson Williams — 46.6
QB Jared Goff — 37.4

 Top defensive PFF grades
CB Nick Whiteside — 83.9
LB Jack Campbell — 83.4
DE Aidan Hutchinson — 83.3
DT DJ Reader — 81.1
S Loren Strickland — 78.0

 Lowest defensive PFF grades
DT Alim McNeill — 59.8
DE Al-Quadin Muhammad — 59.6
S Erick Hallett II — 55.6
CB Rock Ya-Sin — 46.2
DT Tyler Lacy — 41.7

The Lions’ triumph was commanding, but their PFF scores paint a nuanced picture. Heading into future matchups, Detroit will aim to sharpen its offensive execution while sustaining the defensive excellence that fueled Monday’s victory.