Lions 31, Jets 24: Reaction, Takeaways and PFF Grades

The Detroit Lions beat the New York Jets 31-24 at Ford Field on Sunday to move to 2-1. It was closer than it should have been. Jahmyr Gibbs scored three touchdowns and Jared Goff was efficient. The defense was excellent for three quarters, then let a 14-point lead shrink to a one-score finish.

Lions vs Jets: Game Summary

Detroit was scoreless after the first quarter but scored all 31 of its points in the final three. A 30-yard field goal opened the scoring in the second quarter, and from there the offense moved the ball consistently. The Lions finished with 381 total yards, 6.0 yards per play and no turnovers.

The Jets pulled level at 24-24 in the fourth quarter with a two-point conversion. Goff answered by finding Gibbs for an 11-yard touchdown with 2:30 left, and the defense closed it out.

Jahmyr Gibbs and Jared Goff Lead the Offense

Gibbs was the Lions' highest-graded skill player, and his 90.4 overall grade ranked second on the offense behind only Penei Sewell. He ran 20 times for 99 yards and two touchdowns (17 and 1 yards) and caught seven passes for 65 yards, including the 11-yard game-winner. That's 164 scrimmage yards and three scores. His 92.9 receiving grade and 82.8 rushing grade show how much he did in both phases.

Goff was 25 of 32 for 269 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, a 122.5 passer rating. Isaac TeSlaa's 49-yard catch was the longest play of the day, and Amon-Ra St. Brown scored from four yards out in the second quarter.

Detroit's early struggles came down to blitz pickup, and Gibbs' 15.7 pass-blocking grade (on five snaps) is where most of it shows up. Otherwise the offensive line had a very good day. Sewell led the team at 91.8, Tate Ratledge (82.8) and Juice Scruggs (82.3) both graded well, and Goff was sacked only twice.

Sione Vaki Impresses in Relief

Vaki filled in at running back, carrying six times for 26 yards and adding an 11-yard catch. The most encouraging part was his pass protection, where he made several strong blitz pickups. He also contributed on special teams. A single miss in protection can swing a grade sharply, and the film tells a better story than the number.

Lions Defense: A Tale of Two Halves

For three quarters this was the best the defense has looked so far this season. It allowed just 10 points, forced punts, and got several pass breakups. Pressure was good throughout. The Lions finished with five sacks (per ESPN), eight tackles for loss, and 24 total pressures by PFF's count. Aidan Hutchinson (88.4 overall) and Alim McNeill (80.4) led the way, and DJ Wonnum had two sacks and two tackles for loss.

The Jets' Geno Smith still had an excellent game against it, finishing 31 of 37 for 321 yards and three touchdowns. Garrett Wilson (10 catches, 107 yards) and Kenyon Sadiq (7 catches, 105 yards) both scored.

Then came the fourth quarter. Up 24-10, Detroit went into prevent-style coverage and heavy zone too early, and it cost the defense. We'd like to see them stay aggressive with a two-score lead. Even so, this was the strongest defensive outing of the year, and there's plenty to build on.

Defensive Shout-Outs

• Christian Izien was excellent as a box safety, with 11 tackles, three tackles for loss and a pass breakup, and no big issues in coverage. His 85.0 tackling grade was the best on the defense.
• Trevor Nowaske was a menace and made the most of his chances with Devin White inactive, finishing with six solo tackles and a 71.4 overall grade, fifth on the defense.

What's Next for the Lions

The Lions travel to Carolina next. The offense looks like it's rounding into form, and the defense has a template to follow if it keeps its foot on the gas late.