Studs and Duds: Reinvigorated Offense Runs Over Washington

DUD: Offensive Coordinator John Morton

In Morton’s first game without the reins to the deadly Detroit offense, the Lions proceeded to put up 41 points. This came without the aid of any short fields, too. Each scoring drive, spare for a fourth quarter drive after a failed Washington onside kick, went for over 64 yards.

The Lions play calling was unpredictable, and the Commanders were no longer able to rely upon one screen to move the offense back per possession.

With Dan Campbell calling the plays, Kalif Raymond and Jameson Williams were existent in the pass game. Williams was no longer a deep route decoy, with the play calling taking advantage of his ability to create separation running shallow routes.

In addition, the two players that have produced under Morton, tight end Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown, had high-production days. Dan Campbell was able to maximize his players in a way that Detroit did not see under Morton, even in a 52-point outing against Chicago.

In Morton’s first game without primary control of the headset, the Lions put up 546 yards of offense. The only time this offense went off the field without points was the end of the game, when backup quarterback Kyle Allen kneeled it out. Even on that drive, Detroit added another first down to give them an even 30 on the day.

STUD: S Brian Branch

With All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph sidelined for another game, Branch produced the output for both safeties in the nation’s capital.

Branch was making hard hit after hard hit, from the first quarter until the final whistle. As anticipated heading into the matchup, Brian Branch was the best pass rusher in the game. He finished with 1.5 of the Lions’ two sacks. 

Branch finished tied for the team lead in tackles, with seven on the contest. He did head off limping during the fourth quarter. 

DUD: CB Rock Ya-Sin

Not much went wrong for the Lions today, but the defense did leave some to be desired. The Commanders put up 22 points while down three of their top five receivers, and their starting quarterback. 

The biggest Commander play of the game came during the third quarter, with Marcus Mariota finding Treylon Burks for 37 yards with Ya-Sin in coverage. Worse yet for the Temple product, he was flagged for defensive pass interference on the play, and could not force a pass break up.

Ya-Sin did add a nice pass break up on third down in the fourth quarter, though. It was not all negatives for the former second-round selection.

STUD: QB Jared Goff

Goff was sharp and did all that was required of him against Washington. With Dan Campbell calling the shots, it was dial-a-first-down whenever the quarterback dropped back.

The franchise quarterback passed for 320 yards and three touchdowns on 25-of-33 passing. The few times Goff was under duress, he was able to throw the ball away and avoid a sack. Goff was composed in the pocket, in spite of the Lions losing two starters for periods of the game and out left guard Christian Mahogany. 

Goff was spreading the ball, too. Five players caught more than three passes, and three of them finished with over 50 yards on the contest, with a fourth, Raymond, finishing with 49 yards.

STUD: DT Roy Lopez

Lopez was the star of the defensive line. With Marcus Mariota eluding Lions edge rushers, it was tough sledding to generate pressure. Lopez, however, cleaned up Brian Branch’s second sack, and one of only two defensive linemen to hit the quarterback on Sunday. 

The free agent acquisition from Arizona was all over the run game, as well. Early on, he nearly got to Jacory Crosby-Merritt, disrupting a play in the backfield. The nose tackle was not done on the day, as he got a tackle for loss by forklifting Tyler Biadasz into his running back. 

Late in the game, Lopez added a second full tackle for loss.