Not much went well for the Detroit Lions in the
Week 4 loss to the New Orleans Saints after the first couple of possessions for
each team. One bright spot
for Detroit was the strong game turned in by second-year TE T.J. Hockenson.
As a result, Hockenson
earned the Lions’ top grade from Pro Football Focus among
players who saw at least 20 snaps in the game.
Hockenson caught a
touchdown pass and a 2-point conversion in the game as the Lions attempted to
rally from a 35-14 deficit. But it was his run blocking that really helped
Hockenson’s PFF score. “Hock” earned an 82.6 run blocking grade on his way to
an 80.0 overall that topped the Lions offense.
He was followed by RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai (73.0), fellow TE
Jesse James (71.9) and WR Kenny Golladay (71.5).
On defense, Jarrad Davis and his amazing 94.5 overall PFF score
jumps off the screen. Davis played just 19 snaps, which waters down the impact
on the game, but his forced fumble and two tackles with no misses earned him
high marks from PFF.
Of the defenders who played more than 20 of the 70 total snaps,
safety Tracy Walker topped the Lions with a 73.9 mark in his best game of the
year. LB Reggie Ragland (73.7), DT Danny Shelton (73.3) and rookie DT John
Penisini (73.0) round out the top grades.
At the bottom end of the Lions’ grades (min 20 snaps):
- CB Desmond Trufant
– 31.3
- LB Jamie Collins –
40.4
- LB Christian Jones
– 41.3
- RB Adrian Peterson
– 43.2
- DT Nick Williams –
46.5