Lions' Week 10 Defensive Grades: Alex Smith Has Career Performance
The Detroit Lions' defense is on the hook for giving up another double-digit lead against Washington.
Leading 24-3 early in the third quarter, Detroit's defense surrendered points on each and every drive led by Alex Smith for the remainder of the game.
Detroit simply could not adapt or adjust to the short passing game.
Luckily, Detroit was left with just enough time late in the game to go down the field for the game-winning field goal.
Here are the grades for the Lions' defense after the team's Week 10 contest with Washington.
Defensive line: B+
Antonio Gibson did not have a significant impact for Washington's offense, as Detroit's defensive line did a solid job of limiting the young running back's performance.
Smith was pressured by Romeo Okwara and Everson Griffen with enough regularity to disrupt a handful of plays.
Danny Shelton and John Penisini each had a role in limiting Washington's rushing attack, too.
Unfortunately, Washington's backs were still able to punch it in on three occasions. So, improvements in the red zone will need to be explored.
Linebackers: B-
Jahlani Tavai only played in 12 percent of the team's defensive snaps on Sunday, and that may have even been too much.
Jamie Collins recorded 13 tackles, while also forcing two fumbles.
Reggie Ragland continues to earn more playing time, as he pressured Alex Smith and ran off the field in a celebratory manner after delivering a solid hit on his former teammate.
Unfortunately, Smith found the middle of the field open on far too many occasions in the second half.
Secondary: C-
Jeff Okudah is starting to demonstrate an ability to make plays against the run.
Unfortunately, for Detroit's rookie, the coaching staff did not show enough trust in him to play him late in the game during crunch time.
Smith did not look like a quarterback who hadn’t started an NFL game since Week 11 of the 2018 season.
He completed 38-of-55 passes for 390 yards with no interceptions.
Something to watch: Tracy Walker seems to have taken a backseat to veteran Jayron Karse, as his snap count declined in Week 9.
Teams have figured out how to take advantage of mismatches with running backs regularly, beating Walker in coverage.
Special teams: A-
Detroit's special teams unit had another solid performance in Detroit's first home victory in 385 days.
Prater, who had missed six FG attempts this season, successfully converted on a 53-yard field goal at the end of the first half.
In what should provide the team and the veteran kicker a huge boost in confidence, Prater nailed a 59-yarder to win the game with no time left to secure the victory for Detroit.
Jack Fox averaged 47.8 net yards on the afternoon, and regularly pinned Washington inside the 20-yard line.
More from SI All Lions:
Week 10 Offensive Grades: D'Andre Swift Sets Career-Highs
Detroit Lions' Week 10 Snap Counts: Tavai's Playing Time Declines
Marvin Jones on D'Andre Swift: "The Dude is a Crazy Playmaker"
Twitter Reacts: Being Top Mediocre Football Team Not Acceptable
Matthew Stafford Is 'Never Going to Apologize' for Winning
Lions Blow Another Lead, Hang on to Defeat Washington, 30-27
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