Even though he is not the team’s starter, Detroit Lions rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs continues to see a large percentage of snaps.
On Thanksgiving, the Detroit Lions were defeated by the Green Bay Packers. Let’s examine the team’s Week 12 snap counts to have a better understanding of their personnel decisions.
While some of this is undoubtedly due to game situation—the Lions falling down early and having to forsake the rushing game—it’s still instructive that Jahmyr Gibbs out-snapped David Montgomery nearly three-to-one. In practically every situation, the rookie has gained the team’s trust. Montgomery, on the other hand, is still making the most of his opportunities, outrunning Gibbs 71 yards to 54, including the team’s lone rushing touchdown.
Montgomery was injured near the end of the game but returned to the game. Still, it’s something to keep an eye on early next week.
Jameson Williams’ playing time has stabilized at 60-65%, as the Lions gave Kalif Raymond and Donovan Peoples-Jones more
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#opportunity this week. Raymond made the most of his, finishing with 90 yards, his fourth-best total of all time. Peoples-Jones, on the other hand, did not have a single target in his eight snaps. He was also mysteriously removed from special teams this week. Last week, he was on the kick return team.
Frank Ragnow only missed one snap while being examined by trainers for a minute or two before returning to the game.
However, rookie Colby Sorsdal’s short leash stood out. Sorsdal was benched before the end of the first half in favor of Kayode Awosika after struggling early in the game. Both players received some of the lowest PFF ratings on the club (Sorsdal: 48.2; Awosika: 30.8), and they jointly allowed 10 of Detroit’s 25 pressures. Jonah Jackson, please return soon.
The Lions also used a sixth offensive lineman (Dan Skipper) significantly more than usual in this game.
Frank Ragnow only missed one snap while being examined by trainers for a minute or two before returning to the game.
However, rookie Colby Sorsdal’s short leash stood out. Sorsdal was benched before the end of the first half in favor of Kayode Awosika after struggling early in the game. Both players received some of the lowest PFF ratings on the club (Sorsdal: 48.2; Awosika: 30.8), and they jointly allowed 10 of Detroit’s 25 pressures. Jonah Jackson, please return soon.
The Lions also used a sixth offensive lineman (Dan Skipper) significantly more than usual in this game.
Despite leaving the game to be checked for a concussion, Alim McNeill played the most defensive snaps of the season. The nose tackle reps were shared evenly between Benito Jones and Quinton Bohanna, indicating a quick increase in trust in Bohanna—despite earning the lowest PFF grade on the Lions’ defense and recording only one tackle in the game.
Isaiah Buggs was activated this week after regaining his health, but the Lions plainly prefer both Jones and Bohanna in the lineup. Buggs has had an unusual fall from grace after this coaching staff sung his praises all year.
Derrick Barnes appears to have surpassed Jack Campbell on the depth chart after taking more snaps in two straight games. It’s worth noting that Campbell’s experiment as a pass rusher on the EDGE appears to be basically gone. According to PFF, he has only played 10 snaps on the edge in the last four games.
On Sunday, no corner exited the field because Detroit decided to stay in a nickel base for practically the entire game. Brian Branch, once again, served in a number of capacities. Though primarily a nickel cornerback for the team, he would occasionally drop into the box as a strong safety or even replace Tracy Walker as a deep safety.
Tracy Walker had a lot more action than previous week, as the Lions frequently used two-high safeties to stop the Packers’ long throw. Unfortunately, Detroit’s strategy didn’t pan out as planned, as Jordan Love connected on five of eight passes of at least 15 yards downfield.
