Lions' Week 6 Studs and Duds
For the first time this season, Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions were not competitive.
Through the first five games of the season, though all were losses, the Lions had been in it until the end. However, Week 6 brought bad fortunes.
Campbell and company were beaten, 34-11, by the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, falling to 0-6.
Here are the studs and duds from the performance.
STUD: Julian Okwara, OLB
Thanks to many injuries on both sides of the ball, along with the release of Jamie Collins, playing time has opened for youngsters like Okwara. Playing on the edge in place of his brother Romeo, who’s out for the year with an Achilles' injury, Julian had a solid afternoon.
On a third-and-2 for the Bengals midway through the second quarter, Julian burst through the line, and notched his first career sack. He also tallied a QB hurry when he chased Joe Burrow out of the pocket and forced an incompletion on the final offensive play of the first half.
David Reginek, USA TODAY Sports
DUD: Jared Goff, QB
It was an abysmal day for the Lions' offense and its leader. Goff threw for just 38 yards on nine first-half completions, with the team not being anywhere near the end zone.
The closest Goff got the team to scoring in the first half was a completion to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who was promptly stripped for an interception. He also missed T.J. Hockenson on a wheel route that would’ve resulted in a score.
Goff’s limitations were on full display Sunday, as he completed just one pass over 20 yards. Several incompletions incited boos, including a late one-hopper to KhaDarel Hodge.
STUD: Jerry Jacobs, CB
The undrafted rookie out of Arkansas faced a tough task, going up against star Bengals rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Despite this tall order, Jacobs turned in a worthy performance against one of the top youngsters in the league.
Jacobs was beaten for two long completions, although one saw him allow Chase inside leverage in anticipation of safety help. The former Razorback wasn’t perfect, but given the circumstances, turned in a solid performance.
DUD: Penei Sewell, OT
After showing his first signs of cracking against Minnesota a week ago, Sewell full-on broke Sunday against the Bengals. He committed a false start on the opening series, then got beat for the first of several times by Trey Hendrickson on third down of that drive.
Sewell was called for holding later in the first half, and really struggled to contain Hendrickson. It was a rough showing for the Lions rookie.
STUD: Derrick Barnes, LB
The rookie is another benefactor of all the injuries and changes at his position. The 2021 fourth-round pick has seen increased playing time over the course of the season, and was one of the team’s best defensive players on Sunday.
Barnes finished the game with a team-high nine tackles, six of which were solo. He also recorded a pass defensed, and looked comfortable in the middle of the unit. Although the defense fell apart late, the rookie looked like he belonged on Sunday.
DUD: Jonah Jackson, OG
Jackson had a rock-solid rookie season, and has been serviceable this season. But, he really struggled Sunday against the Bengals. The offensive line had difficulties, but Jackson was penalized for a false start in a key fourth-and-1, as the game began to get out of reach.
Behind Jackson, Sewell and company, the Lions mustered just 36 yards on 18 rushing attempts. Granted, the Lions went away from the run late, when the game was out of reach. But, the Lions' offensive line didn’t play well enough to generate big runs while the game was still manageable.
