The Detroit Lions head to their bye week 5-2. Detroit’s received several stellar performances through the first seven weeks of the season. Here’s a look at five players who have really stood out for Detroit through seven games:
1. Quarterback Jared Goff
Goff currently ranks first among all NFL quarterbacks in passer rating (116.4), second in completion percentage (74.9) and third in touchdown passes (15). Detroit’s offense is third in points per game and ninth in total offense. Goff’s the best quarterback in football against the blitz with a 128.8 rating when teams go after him with extra defenders. He has complete command of John Morton’s offense and is playing at an MVP-caliber level to begin the year.
2. Edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson is the No. 2 graded edge defender (92.2) by Pro Football Focus trailing only Green Bay’s Micah Parsons (93.4). Hutchinson has 48 total pressures on the season, which is 10 more than the next best edge player, Los Angeles’ Jared Verse (38). Hutchinson ranks fourth in sacks (6.0) and first in forced fumbles (4). He’s picked up right where he left off last season as one of the most disruptive defenders in the game. Detroit’s expected to get several players back from injury on defense coming out of their bye and that’s only going to make Hutchinson’s job easier moving forward.
3. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown
He is the 12th player in NFL history to record at least 50 receptions, 525 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns through the first seven games of a season and is the second Lions player to do so, joining Herman Moore in 1996. St. Brown currently ranks sixth in receptions (50), fifth in receiving yards (538) and first in touchdown receptions (7) among NFL receivers. He’s Goff’s security blanket and a player who continues to show he’s one of the best in the business at creating separation and space.
4. Tackle Penei Sewell
The top graded tackle by Pro Football Focus is off to another All-Pro campaign and is currently the favorite for the league’s new Protector of the Year Award. Through seven games, Sewell hasn’t allowed a single sack and has been credited with allowing one quarterback hit and just six total pressures. His 97.4 run blocking grade is also top in the NFL by a considerable margin.
5. Linebacker Jack Campbell
Detroit’s third-year linebacker recorded eight tackles, two tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, one quarterback hit and one pass defended against Tampa Bay Monday night. He’s the first Lions linebacker to produce a season with at least five tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles and we’re only in Week 8. He’s recorded at least six tackles in 12 straight games and his 64 tackles on the season rank 6th in the NFL.
Honorable mention: Edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad
The Lions have been looking for a player on the edge opposite Hutchinson to consistently take advantage of one-on-one matchups. Muhammad is proving to be that player as he’s among the top 20 highest graded edge rushers in the league. He’s produced 5.0 sacks, 10 quarterback hits and four tackles for loss. He’s had a great start to his eighth season.
