Lions' Week 7 Studs and Duds
Detroit knew it wasn’t supposed to compete with one of the NFL’s best teams Sunday.
Rather than fold and accept its fate, the team played relentlessly. The Lions battled and fought until the bitter end, using trick plays and surprise onside kicks to stay in the game.
The inspired effort wasn’t enough against the Los Angeles Rams. Led by former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Rams defeated the Lions, 28-19, Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
Here are three studs and duds from the performance.
STUD: D’Andre Swift, RB
Swift set the tone for the game Sunday when he caught a screen pass and raced 63 yards for a touchdown. The second-year running back from Georgia gave his team its first opening-half touchdown since Week 3.
Any time the Lions needed a big play, their running back came through. Swift came through with a pair of big runs on third downs, and bulldozed safety Nick Scott in the first quarter. He finished with 144 yards of total offense.
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DUD: Jerry Jacobs, CB
It was another tough task for the Lions’ young, inexperienced secondary. Jacobs drew the assignment of Van Jefferson, who has emerged as a solid receiver since Stafford came to town.
Jacobs was beaten on multiple occasions Sunday, and struggled to get his head around in coverage. He was flagged for pass interference, and allowed a touchdown to Jefferson. Jacobs, an undrafted rookie from Arkansas, has shown growth since making the roster but had a tough day Sunday.
STUD: Julian Okwara, OLB
Playing in place of his brother Romeo, who is done for the year with an Achilles' injury, Julian once again showcased his skill set as an EDGE rusher. The 2020 third-round pick recorded a sack of Stafford, and continued to put pressure on him throughout the day.
Perhaps the biggest defensive play of the day belonged to Okwara. On a fourth-and-1, the young linebacker chased Rams tight end Tyler Higbee into the flat, and broke up the pass, giving the Lions the ball back.
DUD: Jared Goff, QB
Stafford wasn’t the only one facing his former team Sunday, as Goff played at SoFi Stadium for the first time as a visitor. In what was dubbed a revenge game and a chance to prove his talents to his former team, Detroit’s quarterback kept his team in the game, but made crucial mistakes in the fourth quarter.
Driving late with the team down six, Goff fired a pass under duress into triple coverage, for what would end up being the game-sealing interception. After the Rams kicked a field goal to go up nine, the 27-year-old threw yet another pick to end the game.
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STUD: Kalif Raymond, WR
It was a career day for Raymond, who finished with a team-high 115 receiving yards on six catches. He once again put his speed to good use, catching a short pass and outrunning defenders for a 37-yard gain.
Raymond continues to be among the best of Detroit’s depleted receiving group. Though the team doesn’t have much to begin with at the position, the speedster has proven to be reliable. His speed is a weapon that the Lions have found more ways to utilize.
DUD: Daryl Worley, S
Worley was forced into action when starting nickelback A.J. Parker went down with a shoulder injury. It wasn’t ideal, as Worley stepped in during the third quarter, in the middle of Stafford and company’s go-ahead touchdown drive.
Covering Cooper Kupp, Worley was beaten twice on key plays.
First, Stafford went after him for a 59-yard completion. The second time, Worley couldn’t catch up to L.A.’s top receiver on a short touchdown.
The 26-year-old went up against a tough assignment, and couldn’t deliver a big play when the Lions needed him.
