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Detroit Lions: 5 Highest-Graded Players From Win Over Vikings, Per PFF
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- Detroit Lions: 5 Highest-Graded Players From Win Over Vikings, Per PFF
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Detroit Lions currently sit at 5–2 as they prepare to take on the Miami Dolphins. Detroit will travel to Miami to face a 1–6 Dolphins team looking to pull off an upset. Last week, the Lions defeated the Minnesota Vikings 19–15 in a matchup where the defense came up huge.
Let's take a look at Detroit's five highest-graded players against Minnesota, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), who played at least 20 snaps.
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Honorable mentions: Jimmy Rolder played just 17 snaps but earned a 67.0 defensive grade. Unfortunately, his season will come to an end due to a hamstring injury. Malcolm Rodriguez also had an impressive performance, earning an 87.3 overall defensive grade, but played only 15 snaps. With the injuries to Jack Campbell and Rolder, I would expect Rodriguez to see a much larger role moving forward.
1. DJ Reed – 88.2
DJ Reed played his best game of the season, earning an 88.2 overall defensive grade and a 91.3 coverage grade.
Reed recorded an interception, was targeted five times and allowed just one reception for 11 yards. This now marks Reed's third consecutive game with an 80.0 or better overall PFF grade, while also representing his highest overall defensive and coverage grades of the season.
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Over the last two weeks, Reed has allowed just two receptions. From Weeks 5–7, Reed was PFF's highest-graded cornerback and also held the top coverage grade at his position.
Despite his excellent performance, Reed did appear to get banged up. He was listed on Wednesday's injury report as a nonparticipant due to a hip injury. It remains unclear whether he will be ready to go against Miami.
2. Keith Abney – 66.1
Abney has continued to improve since making the switch to free safety. Against Minnesota, he played 28 snaps and recorded a 66.1 overall defensive grade, a 72.6 tackling grade and a 64.0 coverage grade.
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This would end up being Abney's highest overall defensive grade of the season and his second-highest coverage grade.
The fifth-round rookie is starting to make a name for himself and is quickly becoming a valuable role player for Detroit. His continued development at free safety could prove important as the Lions navigate their growing list of injuries in the secondary.
3. Skylar Gill-Howard – 64.6
Gill-Howard recorded his second-best overall defensive grade of the season with a 64.6. He also earned a 66.0 run defense grade and a 70.4 tackling grade.
The sixth-round pick made his presence felt in the trenches, recording two total pressures, including one sack and one quarterback hurry.
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Gill-Howard entered Week 9 leading all rookie interior defensive linemen in pressures with 13. He has now improved that total to 15. On the season, he has three sacks, two quarterback hits and 10 quarterback hurries.
The rookie is quickly proving to be a massive steal for Detroit in the sixth round. His production and continued development have made him an increasingly important piece of the defensive line rotation.
4. Aidan Hutchinson – 64.5
It's rare to see Hutchinson earn a PFF grade this low, but he still made an impact in this matchup. He was simply a little quieter than usual, recording one quarterback pressure, one quarterback hit and four total tackles.
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According to PFF's grading system, this was Hutchinson's lowest overall defensive grade of the season. It was also his second-lowest run defense grade at 59.7 and his lowest pass-rush grade of the season at 57.6.
Fortunately for Detroit, Hutchinson will have an opportunity to bounce back against a struggling Miami offense. The Dolphins present a favorable matchup for the Lions' pass rush, and I expect Hutchinson to return to form and make his presence felt with at least one sack.
5. Tyler Lacy – 63.1
Lacy played just 20 snaps against Minnesota but still managed to earn a 63.1 overall defensive grade. He also recorded a 61.9 run defense grade and a 60.1 pass-rush grade.
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Lacy made the most of his limited opportunities, recording two total pressures to bring his season total to eight. He also added two quarterback hits, improving his season total to five.
Lacy continues to be an important rotational piece along Detroit's defensive line. However, we're beginning to see Gill-Howard earn more opportunities and take snaps away from him. With the rookie continuing to develop, it will be interesting to see how their roles evolve over the remainder of the season.
