# Lions Win 31-30, But the Grades Tell a Second Story

> Detroit beat the Saints by a point, and PFF's Week 1 numbers show exactly who carried it and who did not.
- Title: Lions Win 31-30, But the Grades Tell a Second Story | Shortify
- Summary: Detroit beat the Saints by a point, and PFF's Week 1 numbers show exactly who carried it and who did not. Detroit's line and front seven won this game; the…
- Keywords: detroit lions, pff grades, week 1, nfl, jahmyr gibbs, sports, Lions, Win, 31-30, Grades, Tell, Second
- Source: Detroit Lions On SI — https://si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/detroit-lions-wr-isaac-teslaa-among-lowest-pff-graded-against-saints
- Published: 2026-09-14T15:37:02+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: detroit lions, pff grades, week 1, nfl, jahmyr gibbs, sports
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Detroit's line and front seven won this game; the secondary and the pass catchers behind Gibbs have work to do.