A one-point escape

The Lions opened the season with a 31-30 home win over the Saints. The scoreline says close, the grades say the win came from specific places.

The line held up

PFF graded four offensive linemen among Detroit's best performers with 10 or more snaps. Juice Scruggs led the team at 77.5.

Gibbs joins a short list

Jahmyr Gibbs became the sixth player in NFL history with 50 touchdowns in his first 50 games.

Bell cow, immediately

Gibbs took 34 touches against New Orleans, 29 carries and five catches, in his first game as the clear lead back. He graded out at 72.8.

Barnes has a job to fill

With Alex Anzalone gone, Detroit needs Derrick Barnes to make more plays. He came into 2026 saying last season fell short of what he wanted.

Spider-Man at Ford Field

Barnes showed up on game day in a Spider-Man outfit alongside his son, then graded 73.4. He said the costume raised the stakes for him.

“I better do something on the football field. So, thank God I did.”

Hutchinson set the tone

Aidan Hutchinson posted a 90.2, the top mark on the roster. Malcolm Rodriguez followed at 83.1 and rookie Tyleik Williams at 76.9.

The secondary struggled

Rookie corner Keith Abney II and Rock Ya-Sin landed among the lowest grades, with Ya-Sin at 46.1 and Avonte Maddox at 55.6.

TeSlaa barely saw the ball

Isaac TeSlaa drew one target and finished with the team's worst offensive grade at 49.1, after a training camp that disappointed.

The investment question

Detroit's front office paid a steep price to move up for TeSlaa. Jameson Williams at 54.7 and Tyler Conklin at 49.9 round out a receiving group that needs more.